Irvine, CA vs Waltham, MA
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
Waltham
66.7
#1517 nationally
Waltham leads in walk score (57 vs 44). Waltham leads in cost of living index (164 vs 178). Waltham leads in average commute (24.6 min vs 25.8 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Waltham, MA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 67.2 (#1452) | 66.7 (#1517) |
| Population | 307,670 | 64,477 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $1,517,431 | $831,292 |
| Median Household Income | $116,519 | $113,443 |
| Average Commute | 25.8 min | 24.6 min |
| Walk Score | 44 | 57 |
| Crime Level | Very Low | 6.9 |
| School Rating | 9.5 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 178 | 164 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+2.6 | D+39.5 |
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
66.7 Score
Waltham, MA
Massachusetts community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$831,292
Population
64,477
Crime
Moderate
Walk Score
57
Northeast
View Waltham, MA →