salaryRent here is among the highest 10% in the country. Household incomes are higher than in 89% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 8.1 years of household income, so buying is hard for most locals. Most households rent (56%), so there are plenty of rental options. It is a highly educated city: 70.6% of adults have a college degree.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $136,200 a year. That is $65 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other California cities?
No. Rent here is more expensive than in most of California. It is number 565 of 653 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
Compare Irvine with other big cities
Compare Irvine to 149 other cities →
How much do households earn in Irvine?
Share of households by yearly income. 53.5% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Irvine
| Size | Irvine | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $2,709 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $2,751 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $3,344 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $3,500+ | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $3,500+ | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Irvine overall?
Everyday prices in the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim metro area are 14% above the U.S. average (index 113.6, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024.
Taxes and bills in Irvine
Life in Irvine
What jobs pay in Irvine
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Lawyer | $194,410 | 21.0% |
| Physician Assistant | $161,890 | 25.2% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $161,470 | 25.3% |
| Software Developer | $160,920 | 25.4% |
| Pharmacist | $157,440 | 26.0% |
| Registered Nurse | $135,560 | 30.1% |
| Operations Manager | $125,830 | 32.5% |
| Dental Hygienist | $122,980 | 33.2% |
| Police Officer | $121,980 | 33.5% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $121,560 | 33.6% |
| Civil Engineer | $108,640 | 37.6% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $101,860 | 40.1% |
| Firefighter | $98,050 | 41.7% |
| Accountant | $94,360 | 43.3% |
| Market Research Analyst | $82,990 | 49.2% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $79,310 | 51.5% |
| Carpenter | $75,740 | 53.9% |
| HVAC Technician | $73,830 | 55.3% |
| Electrician | $73,810 | 55.4% |
| Plumber | $71,110 | 57.5% |
| Truck Driver | $60,340 | 67.7% |
| Customer Service Representative | $48,840 | 83.7% |
| Medical Assistant | $47,760 | 85.6% |
| Nursing Assistant | $47,380 | 86.2% |
| Restaurant Cook | $44,460 | 91.9% |
| Warehouse Worker | $42,390 | 96.4% |
| Retail Salesperson | $37,700 | 108.4% |
| Cashier | $36,980 | 110.5% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $35,850 | 114.0% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Irvine?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $4,862 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $1,191,500 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $119,150 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Irvine, CA?
Renting in Irvine costs a median of about $3,405 a month in 2026, including utilities. The California median is $2,357.
How much do I need to make to live in Irvine?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $136,200 a year, or $65 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Irvine cheap or expensive?
Irvine is rated OK: rent takes 27.7% of the typical household income of $147,451. It ranks 565th cheapest of 653 California cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Irvine?
The median homeowner in Irvine pays $9,543 a year in property taxes, about 0.80% of the median home value.
Is Irvine more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in the metro area are 14% above the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Irvine?
The median home value in Irvine is $1,191,500, about 8.1 times the typical yearly household income.
311,690 people live in Irvine. Numbers are typical (middle) values.