City Comparison
Irvine vs San Francisco
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Irvine scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Irvine
San Francisco
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Irvine is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
28% lower than in San Francisco.
Housing costs are a major driver: Irvine's average rent is
31% lower than San Francisco's.
| Metric | Irvine | San Francisco | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $3,066 | $4,475 | -31% |
| Groceries | $450 | $550 | -18% |
| Utilities | $180 | $210 | -14% |
| Transport | $120 | $105 | +14% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $310 | -19% |
| Monthly Total | $4,066 | $5,650 | -28% |
| Cost Index | 168 | 168 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
San Francisco offers 18% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, San Francisco delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Irvine is estimated at
$95,000 vs $85,000 in San Francisco.
| Metric | Irvine | San Francisco |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $82,000 | $100,200 |
| Salary Needed | $95,000 | $85,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 48,810 idx | 59,643 idx |
| Household Income | $136,719 | $140,970 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Irvine runs warmer on average — a 6.6°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Irvine comes out ahead with 11 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
| Metric | Irvine | San Francisco |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 64.10°F | 57.50°F |
| Summer High | 79.70°F | 65.00°F |
| Winter Low | 49.20°F | 46.10°F |
| Rainfall | 19.70 in | 21.00 in |
| Snowfall | 0.00 in | 0.00 in |
| Sunny Days | 324 | 313 |
| Humidity | 60.00% | 72.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Irvine has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,500 minutes (58 hours) per year compared to San Francisco.
San Francisco scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, San Francisco leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Irvine | San Francisco |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 25 min | 32 min |
| Transit Score | 52.0/100 | 80.0/100 |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 87.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 50.00 | 62.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Low |
Population
Economy & Demographics
San Francisco is the larger city
— approximately 0.4x the population of Irvine.
From a growth perspective, Irvine is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, San Francisco has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Irvine | San Francisco |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 318,693 | 826,079 |
| Pop. Growth | 2.10% | — |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 40.0 |
| Unemployment | 4.20% | 3.90% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Irvine
Advantages
Consistently ranked as one of the safest big cities in America for consecutive years per FBI statistics and local safety reports.
Irvine Unified School District achieves exceptional performance metrics, with high school graduation rates exceeding 97%.
Home to more than 19,000 thriving businesses providing robust local employment and career mobility.
Extensive outdoor recreational infrastructure featuring over 16,000 acres of preserved open space and extensive bicycle trails.
High concentration of residents with higher education degrees, fostering a progressive, intellectually vibrant community.
Drawbacks
Overall cost of living sits roughly 68% higher than the national average, heavily driven by housing expenses.
Median home purchase prices scale past $1.4 million, presenting a steep barrier to entry for prospective first-time buyers.
High reliance on automobile travel for daily errands despite solid local bicycle infrastructure.
Strict homeowner association (HOA) regulations and municipal codes govern property aesthetics and modifications.
Rental prices remain among the highest in Southern California, placing considerable pressure on non-homeowners.
San Francisco
Advantages
Median household income stands high at $140,970 per the U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts.
Access to world-class public transportation and high walkability relative to most US cities.
Thriving innovation and tech startup ecosystem with robust venture capital presence.
Abundant natural beauty, featuring Golden Gate Park and immediate proximity to coastal trails.
Renowned culinary scene featuring diverse international cuisine and Michelin-starred dining.
Drawbacks
Average rent prices remain among the highest in the United States, averaging over $4,400 per month.
Overall cost of living index is significantly elevated compared to the national average.
High property crime rates and visible street-level challenges in select downtown commercial corridors.
Steep home purchase prices with average single-family homes exceeding $1.4 million per Zillow data.
State and local tax burdens are among the highest in the nation.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Irvine
#275California, USA
61.8 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$3,066
Avg Salary
$82,000
Cost Index
168
Commute
25 min
Transit Score
52.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
324/yr
Avg Temp
64.10°F
Pop. Growth
2.10%
Unemployment
4.20%
Livability
88
Business
82
San Francisco
#545California, USA
48.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$4,475
Avg Salary
$100,200
Cost Index
168
Commute
32 min
Transit Score
80.0/100
Walkability
87.0/100
Sunny Days
313/yr
Avg Temp
57.50°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
3.90%
Livability
79
Business
82
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