Irvine vs Irving
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Irvine
Irving
The Verdict
Living in Irving costs 78.0% less than Irvine. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Irvine, you would need $42,135 in Irving.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Irvine has the same purchasing power as $42,135 in Irving.
Conversely, $75,000 in Irving equals $133,500 in Irvine.
Living in Irvine vs Irving
Housing Costs
Irvine's housing index of 294 is higher Irving's 94, translating to median home prices of $1.1M vs $318,000. The $732,000 difference in home prices means roughly $47,580 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $3,000/mo in Irvine compared to $1,350/mo in Irving, a monthly difference of $1,650.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 108 in Irvine and 99 in Irving. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $513/month in Irvine vs $470/month in Irving. Irving offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $516/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 115 in Irvine and 111 in Irving. Monthly utility bills average approximately $460 in Irvine vs $444 in Irving. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 109 in Irvine and 103 in Irving. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. Healthcare costs are relatively similar between these two cities, though individual plan costs can still vary.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $108,038 in Irvine and $73,400 in Irving. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $60,696 and $73,400 respectively. Irving residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $2,521/month to housing in Irvine vs $1,713/month in Irving. In Irvine, median rent of $3,000/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. In Irving, median rent of $1,350/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 200 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases