Irvine, CA vs Walnut Creek, CA
Side-by-side comparison of housing, income, commute, safety, and quality of life.
Score Snapshot
No universal winner
Scores summarize the published model. Use the objective metric differences below and your own priorities to choose.
Irvine
67.2
#1452 nationally
Walnut Creek
61.4
#1910 nationally
Irvine leads in average commute (25.8 min vs 35.1 min). Walnut Creek leads in median household income ($129,971 vs $116,519). Irvine leads in cost of living index (178 vs 197).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Walnut Creek, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 67.2 (#1452) | 61.4 (#1910) |
| Population | 307,670 | 69,152 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $1,517,431 | $1,032,096 |
| Median Household Income | $116,519 | $129,971 |
| Average Commute | 25.8 min | 35.1 min |
| Walk Score | 44 | 41 |
| Crime Level | Very Low | 7.7 |
| School Rating | 9.5 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 178 | 197 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+2.6 | D+38.0 |
D+
67.2 Score
Irvine, CA
Master-planned perfection in Southern California
Median Home
$1,517,431
Population
307,670
Crime
Very Low
Schools
A+
Pacific
View Irvine, CA →
D-
61.4 Score
Walnut Creek, CA
California community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$1,032,096
Population
69,152
Crime
Moderate
Walk Score
41
Pacific
View Walnut Creek, CA →
Try a different matchup
Swap Irvine for: