Irvine, CA vs Waxhaw, NC
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
Waxhaw
65.9
#1604 nationally
Waxhaw leads in cost of living index (125 vs 178). Irvine leads in average commute (25.8 min vs 31.3 min). Waxhaw leads in median household income ($124,711 vs $116,519).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Waxhaw, NC |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 67.2 (#1452) | 65.9 (#1604) |
| Population | 307,670 | 23,073 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $1,517,431 | $717,174 |
| Median Household Income | $116,519 | $124,711 |
| Average Commute | 25.8 min | 31.3 min |
| Walk Score | 44 | N/A |
| Crime Level | Very Low | 1.6 |
| School Rating | 9.5 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 178 | 125 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+2.6 | R+25.3 |
Data coverage note: Waxhaw is missing data for 1 metric that Irvine has. Scores with less coverage are penalized — see our methodology.
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
65.9 Score
Waxhaw, NC
Small North Carolina city with local appeal
Median Home
$717,174
Population
23,073
Crime
Low
Median Income
$124,711
Southeast
View Waxhaw, NC →