Biggest tradeoff: Irvine, California
Irvine, California is the sharpest split in this comparison: strong on climate comfort, weaker on affordability.
What Stands Out
A quick read on this comparison
Deterministic summaries based on the data in view.
Potential dealbreaker: Irvine, California
Irvine, California needs a closer look before you get too attached, especially on tax burden.
Comparison Matrix
| City | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Route | |||
| General Info | |||
| Population | 256,927 | 159,769 | 154,407 |
| Elevation | 56 ft(17 m) | 499 ft(152 m) | 696 ft(212 m) |
| Housing & Wealth | |||
| Median Home | $1,510,682 | $614,634 | $651,683 |
| Median Rent | $3,471 | $1,634 | $1,805 |
| Median Income | $122,948 | $125,317 | $144,567 |
| Rent Burden | 34% | 16% | 15% |
| Climate & Risks | |||
| Sunny Days | 347 days/yr | 307 days/yr | 309 days/yr |
| Avg. High | 73°F | 71°F | 76°F |
| Comfort Score | 96/100Excellent | 79/100Great | 72/100Great |
| Temp Swing | 19°F | 38°F | 41°F |
| Annual Rainfall | 17"(43 cm) | 52"(132 cm) | 52"(132 cm) |
| Annual Snowfall | 0"(0 cm) | 1"(3 cm) | 1"(3 cm) |
| Air Quality | AQI 48 (Avg)4 days > 100 | AQI 45 (Avg)24 days > 100 | AQI 47 (Avg)47 days > 100 |
| Infrastructure & Lifestyle | |||
| Walk Score | 45 | N/A | N/A |
| Transit Score | 34 | N/A | N/A |
| Safety Score | 85 / 100 | 86 / 100 | 83 / 100 |
| School Rating | 8.8/10 | 8.2/10 | 9/10 |
| Internet Access | Fiber: 44%Cable: 88% | Fiber: 92%Cable: 97% | Fiber: 62%Cable: 93% |
| Demographics | |||
| Median Age | 33.8 years | 39.4 years | 37.8 years |
| College Educated | 70% | 70% | 66% |
| Remote Workers | 23% | 28% | 30% |
| Nature Access | |||
| Local Nature & Reserves | Finding... | Finding... | Finding... |
| Scouting & Local Help | |||
Plan a first lookWays to plan a first visit or connect with a relevant local partner. | Featured Local Partner ADYour logo Partner spot available For organizations that can help someone land in Irvine | Featured Local Partner ADYour logo Partner spot available For organizations that can help someone land in Cary | Featured Local Partner ADYour logo Partner spot available For organizations that can help someone land in Frisco |
Latest Editorial
New from WhyThere.
Essays and data-led lenses on climate, cost, geography, and the shape of daily life.
Collections
Browse the strongest WhyThere lenses.
Collections group cities around a decision lens, not just a category.
Climate LensWarm Leaning
No Real Winter
Cities where cold rarely takes over daily life.
Open collection
Climate LensHigh Elevation
The Altitude Hack
Sunny highland cities that stay much milder than you expect.
Open collection
Climate LensExpectation Breaker
Surprisingly Soggy
Places that quietly out-rain their sunny reputations.
Open collection