irvine
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When you consider Irvine, California as your new moving destination, many images come to mind – fantastic weather, safety, standard living quality, and much more.

But is that all? Hasn’t the city got any negatives?

Though Irvine is a pleasant and splendid city, it has also got its share of hiccups which you need to know before you pack the bags.

And here’s everything you need to know about the largest city Orange County.

Our Irvine city guide covers everything including the lifestyle, jobs, climate, safety, education, and transport. Go through this to know the city in and out.

Here we start to check whether Irvine is right for you.

QuickFacts

Quick Facts of Irvine, CA

Quick facts to know before you move to Irvine

  • Irvine is the largest city in Orange County.
  • This is the 63rd most populous in the US.
  • Most of Irvine is in a broad, flat valley between Loma Ridge in the north and San Joaquin Hills in the south.
  • The crime rate is extremely low here.
  • The booming economy contributes to plenty of jobs.
  • The culture is diversely rich.
  • About 70% of the population has a bachelor’s degree.
  • Many decent neighborhoods exist here.
  • There is a lot to do outdoors.
  • Homeowners’ Associations (HOAs) are common in many neighborhoods in Irvine.

Top 10 things to know before moving to Irvine

  • The climate is pleasant here year-round.
  • Irvine is one of the most expensive in California.
  • Education is top-notch here.
  • Technology, healthcare, finance, and education are the most promising job sectors.
  • The city is mostly safer.
  • The population is diverse here.
  • Lack of public transport is a concern.
  • The city’s air quality is higher.
  • The food scene is amazing here.
  • Nightlife does not exist here.

How is it living in Irvine, CA?

Irvine is one of the happiest cities in the US. It is economically rich, culturally diverse, and also boasts a low crime rate. The city is packed with many places to hang out. While living here, you’re also never away from outdoor fun as there are unlimited landscapes in and around Irvine.

Is Irvine safer to walk at night?

One of the major plus points of Irvine is safety. It boasts of one of the lowest crime rates in California and you can walk anywhere in the city without much fear. The streets are well-lit, police are highly visible and emergencies are quickly responded to.

Why is Irvine so popular?

Irvine is one of the greenest US cities and is also recognized as one of the happiest places in the country. The city is a booming job center and also boasts a splendid food scene. In addition, Irvine is a cultural melting pot which contributes to the rich diversity.

What is the population of Irvine, CA?

  • Irvine’s total population is 297,868.
  • The population is made up of 49.3% males and 50.8% females.
  • The median age in Irvine is 33.8.
  • The population is made up of 41.7% White, 1.8% Black or African American, 41.6% Asian, 0.1% Native American, and 4.6% from two or more races.
  • About 9.7% of the population claims Hispanic Ethnicity in Irvine.
  • The median household size in Irvine is 2.7 persons.

How fast can you commute to Irvine, CA?

A strong public transport system is absent in Irvine and most people commute on their own, causing heavy traffic on roads, especially during the peak hours. As a result, you would need to spend about 25.1 minutes on the road, especially during peak hours. However, this is lower than the US average of 26.4 minutes.

Here’s how people in Irvine get to work:

  • About 77.2% drive their car alone
  • About 7.1% carpool with others
  • About 7.3% work from home
  • About 1.2% take mass transit

What is the weather like in Irvine, CA?

Irvine has a Mediterranean climate with mild temperatures throughout the year. Summers are typically warm and dry, while winters are cool and wet. The average temperature range in Irvine is between 41-66°F. It doesn’t snow here. July is the hottest month here while January is the coldest.

Here are a few facts about the weather in Irvine that will help you decide whether moving here is a good choice:

  • The city receives about 13 inches of rain, on average, per year. The US average is 38 inches of rain per year.
  • Irvine averages 0 inches of snow per year. The US average is 28 inches of snow per year.
  • On average, the city gets about 281 sunny days per year against the US average of 205 sunny days.
  • The city receives some kind of precipitation, on average, 36 days per year in the form of rain, snow, sleet, or hail.
Reasons

Top 10 reasons to move to Irvine, CA

  • Highly diverse population
  • Quality schooling
  • Amazing culinary options
  • Pleasant climate
  • Plenty of jobs
  • Economically diverse
  • Plenty of fun options around
pros and cons

Pros & Cons of Living in Irvine, CA

Irvine is not all about positives but the city has its share of negatives. It is crucial to have an idea about the best and worst of Irvine before you move here. Here are a few pros and cons of moving to Irvine. Analyze them to make the final call. 

Here are the pros and cons of living in Irvine, CA:

The pros
  • Diverse population
  • Abundance of jobs
  • Good food scene
  • Warm climate
  • Low crime rate
  • Proximity to beaches
  • Diversity in job opportunities
  • Good salary
  • Strong education system
The cons
  • High cost of living
  • Lack of nightlife
  • Consistent climate
  • Traffic congestion
  • Lack of public transportation
Neighborhoods

10 Best Neighborhoods in Irvine, CA

Moving to Irvine, you would prefer living in a place that boasts of quality homes and splendid amenities nearby. And fortunately, the city has no shortage of decent neighborhoods. It is easier to pick 10 good neighborhoods here and our experts have done that. We’ve listed out the top neighborhoods in the city:

Rank Neighborhoods Home Rental Home Value
1 Woodbridge $2,814 $895,029
2 University Park $2,923 $930,006
3 Westpark $2,795 $929,544
4 Westpark II $3,017 $988,955
5 Turtle Rock $3,331 $1,561,125
6 Oak Creek $2,667 $1,029,880
7 University Town Center $2,417 $795,638
8 North Irvine $2,983 $1,168,121
9 North Wood $3,202 $1,067,519
10 Walnut $3,178 $943,517

Irvine's cost of living

The cost of living in Irvine is a major factor that you need to consider while making the final call. Interestingly, the cost of living here is 64.9% higher than the US average and 10% lower than the California average. A typical home is 233.6% more expensive than the national average and 53.8% more expensive than the average California home. Consider these factors while you pack the bags.

The following are the key components that make Irvine’s cost of living:

Living Expense Irvine California National Average
Overall 164.9 149.9 100
Grocery 105.6 105.1 100
Health 93.4 98.3 100
Housing 353.4 234.8 100
Median home cost $1,128,000 $733,500 $291,700
Utilities 98.3 102.4 100
Transportation 111.0 133.1 100
Miscellaneous 155.8 118.7 100

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How is the job market in Irvine, CA?

Irvine has a robust job market and it is expected to further grow in the coming years. The job growth is 47.02%, much higher than the US average of 30.54%. Jobs have increased by 0.6% in the last one year. Healthcare, finance, and technology are the strongest industries in Irvine.   

If you are keen to know more about jobs in Irvine, here are a few job stats.

  • The city records positive job growth.
  • Jobs have increased by 0.6% over the past year.
  • The average salary in Irvine is $84,000.
  • The unemployment rate in Irvine is 5.4%.
  • The median household income of an Irvine resident is $114,027 a year.

The following is a quick breakdown of the city’s job market since you’re considering moving to Irvine:

Employment Information Irvine United States
The income per Cap $53,857 $37,638
Household Income $114,027 $69,021
Unemployment Rate 5.4 6
Recent Job Growth -9.6% -6.2%
Future Job Growth 40.2 33.5

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Top career options if you’re moving to Irvine, CA

Salary is a crucial factor in deciding on a job. While salary is greatly based on multiple factors, it is crucial to know the highest-paid jobs in Irvine which will help you while searching for one. Knowing this, we’ve collated the jobs that offer the best pay in the Californian city.

Rank Job title Average salary Entry level salary
1 Senior vice president $243,714 $133,000
2 Vice president, product management $215,981 $128,000
3 International vice president $211,037 $100,000
4 Chief marketing officer $204,993 $91,000
5 Medical director $201,104 $90,000
6 Chief executive officer $200,476 $108,000
7 Vice president of engineering $198,520 $124,000
8 Senior vice president-operations $193,551 $89,000
9 Endodontist $192,709 $79,000
10 Chief information officer $192,289 $100,000

What is a good salary in Irvine, CA?

The economy is growing in Irvine and moving here, it is easier to get a job with a handsome package. But how much will you earn here? This will be one of the major queries you may have while relocating here. . Do not worry as we’ve got a few salary-related stats in Irvine. 

  • Irvine’s average annual pay for average jobs is $84,632
  • Irvine’s average hourly pay is $40.1 per hour
  • Irvine’s average weekly pay is $1,822 per week
  • Irvine’s average monthly payment is $7,166 per month
  • Irvine’s top earners (90th percentile) make $164,000 annually

What are the top industries in Irvine, CA?

ust like any major business center in the US, Irvine’s business space is packed with multiple industries, and knowing the top industries would help you in job hunting. The following is a list of the city’s largest industries since you’re considering moving to Irvine.

  • Technology
  • Healthcare
  • Education
  • Finance
  • Services

Best companies to work for if you’re moving to Irvine, CA

When you have a list of the best companies in Irvine, it becomes easier to hunt for a job. ‘Best’ here refers to being ‘employee-friendly’ and our experts have researched to find the 10 top-rated companies in Irvine.

Here’s our list of the 10 best companies to work in Irvine.

  • Mazda
  • RGP
  • RED Digital Cinema
  • CoreLogic
  • Roland DGA
  • Allergan plc
  • Edwards Lifesciences
  • Knobbe Martens
  • 5.11 Tactical
  • WNC

What's the average salary & income in Irvine, CA?

You may be curious to know the basic taxes in Irvine as your salary is greatly determined by them. To help you, we’ve collated the basic and recent tax-related stats 

  • The sales tax rate for Irvine is 7.8%. The US average is 7.3%.
  • The Income Tax Rate for Irvine is 9.3%. The US average is 4.6%.
  • The average property tax rate in Irvine is 0.74%

Housing Market in Irvine, CA

Irvine’s housing market is robust and the home values are shooting up every year. The house costs showed an impressive 14.67% appreciation rate in the last year and the current median home value is $1,128,000. About 51.9% of the residents here own a house.

  • Irvine’s median home cost is $1,128,000.
  • The median age of Irvine real estate is 24 years old.
  • The home appreciation in the city in the last 10 years has been 109.2%.
  • Renters make up 48.1% of the Irvine population.
  • About 2.2% of houses and apartments in Irvine are available to rent.

Average Rental Prices in Irvine, CA

Maybe you are in the last leg of relocating to Irvine and knowing the latest home rental trends will help analyze future expenses in the city. Just as the home costs, even the rentals are expensive here. We’ve got the recent rental stats:

  • Irvine’s average rent for a studio apartment is $2,520
  • Irvine’s average rent for a 1-bedroom home or apartment is $2,750
  • Irvine’s average rent for a 2-bedroom home or apartment is $3,300
  • Irvine’s average rent for a 3-bedroom home or apartment is $4,480
  • Irvine’s average rent for a 4-bedroom home or apartment is $5,240

What are the best things to do in Irvine, CA?

 

Irvine is scenically pristine and living here is a major opportunity to take part in hundreds of activities year-round. As you are relocating to Irene, knowing the best things to do here will be a great idea.   We’ve listed out just 10 among them.

  • Hike around Turtle Rock Nature Centre
  • Explore the Irvine Museum
  • Visit the Irvine Historical Society Museum
  • Trek the Bommer Canyon Trail
  • Cool off at Wild Rivers
  • Visit the Orange County Great Park
  • Go shopping at the Irvine Spectrum Centre
  • Visit the Tanaka Farms
  • Take the kids to the Pretend City Children’s Museum
  • Enjoy a show at the Irvine Barclay Theatre

How safe is Irvine, CA?

When safety is a major factor in your relocation plan, you can confidently pack the bags to Irvine as the city ranks high in the safety index. The rate of violent crime in Irvine is 8.9, which is significantly lower than the US average of 22.7. Similarly, the rate of property crime in Irvine is 22.6, which again is much lower than the national average of 35.4. The city is safer than 27% of US cities and about 68% of the residents feel safer here.

  • The violent crime rate in Irvine is 8.9. The U.S. average is 22.7
  • The property crime rate in Irvine is 22.6. The U.S. average is 35.4
  • Irvine is safer than 27% of US cities.
  • Residents have a 1 in 1,206 chance of being the victim of a violent crime.
  • Residents have a 1 in 61 chance of being the victim of a property crime.
  • About 68% of the residents feel safe in Irvine.
School

What are the top schools in Irvine, CA??

While moving to Irvine, CA with the family, education would be a major concern. However, the city takes pride in its education statistics. About 70% of the population here has bachelors and this speaks about the schools and colleges in the city.

Here’s a list of the best education institutions in Irvine. 

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