Irvine, CA vs Wilmette, 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
Wilmette
71
#1040 nationally
Wilmette leads in median household income ($183,750 vs $116,519). Irvine leads in average commute (25.8 min vs 35.7 min). Wilmette leads in walk score (58 vs 44).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Wilmette, IL |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 67.2 (#1452) | 71 (#1040) |
| Population | 307,670 | 27,026 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $1,517,431 | $1,007,961 |
| Median Household Income | $116,519 | $183,750 |
| Average Commute | 25.8 min | 35.7 min |
| Walk Score | 44 | 58 |
| Crime Level | Very Low | 0.6 |
| School Rating | 9.5 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 178 | 162 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+2.6 | D+42.0 |
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 →
C-
71 Score
Wilmette, IL
Small Illinois city with local appeal
Median Home
$1,007,961
Population
27,026
Crime
Very Low
Walk Score
58
Midwest
View Wilmette, IL →