Irvine, CA vs Wheaton, IL
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
Wheaton
75.2
#497 nationally
Wheaton leads in cost of living index (126 vs 178). Irvine leads in walk score (44 vs 40). Irvine leads in average commute (25.8 min vs 26.5 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Wheaton, IL |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 67.2 (#1452) | 75.2 (#497) |
| Population | 307,670 | 52,938 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $1,517,431 | $518,505 |
| Median Household Income | $116,519 | $113,523 |
| Average Commute | 25.8 min | 26.5 min |
| Walk Score | 44 | 40 |
| Crime Level | Very Low | 1.4 |
| School Rating | 9.5 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 178 | 126 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+2.6 | D+13.3 |
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 →
C
75.2 Score
Wheaton, IL
Illinois community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$518,505
Population
52,938
Crime
Very Low
Walk Score
40
Midwest
View Wheaton, IL →