Source-led head-to-head · 2024 ACS
Moving from Irvine to Houston
Based on the 2024 ACS 5-year estimates, Irvine shows significantly higher median household income ($136,719) and home values ($1,191,500) compared to Houston ($64,813 income, $277,800 home value), while Irvine's median gross rent ($2,997) is more than double Houston's ($1,361). Irvine residents report a slightly shorter average one-way commute (27 minutes) versus Houston's 30 minutes. Houston benefits from a 0.00% simplified state individual income-tax reference in the calculator, whereas Irvine's California state tax is excluded per profile boundaries. These figures reflect a trade-off where Irvine offers higher earnings and property values at substantially higher housing costs, while Houston provides lower income and home prices with more affordable rents and no state income tax in the calculation model.
Corridor Direction & Trade-off Delta
⇄ Switch to Houston → IrvineMoving from Irvine to Houston
Median Rent Impact
-$1,636/mo
Moving to Houston saves ~$19,632/yr in rent.
State Tax Treatment
0.0% difference
Neither state imposes an individual state income tax.
Daily Commute Difference
+3 min / day
Difference of ~25 hours per year spent commuting based on 2024 ACS midpoint averages.
Your move
Compare the life behind the offer.
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Search all 32,330 U.S. Census places directly below.Instant results use official 2024 ACS place data. Places with incomplete required signals remain visible in search but cannot be selected.
Directional estimate using ACS citywide benchmarks. Verified profiles may include a simplified state-tax reference; automatically added profiles exclude state tax until an official reference is approved. Exact tax, benefits, debt, housing, insurance, and personal circumstances may materially change the result.
LIVE VERDICTIRV → HOU
81/ 100
Worth serious consideration
Your modeled annual room improves.Estimated annual life delta+$32,016after essentials; unverified state tax excluded
Best gainMedian owner-occupied home value of $277,800.
Watch closelyA citywide median income of $64,813 paired with a 30-minute derived commute.
The short answer
In the uniform one-person renting baseline, Houston is about $19,632 lower per year. This is not a verdict by itself: replace city medians with the actual offer, address, household, benefits, insurance, and tax details before deciding.
Irvine household income$136,719
Houston household income$64,813
Irvine gross rent$2,997
Houston gross rent$1,361
Housing, income, and tax reference
| Metric | Irvine | Houston |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 ACS population | 311,690 | 2,328,253 |
| Median household income | $136,719 | $64,813 |
| Median gross rent | $2,997 | $1,361 |
| Median owner-occupied home value | $1,191,500 | $277,800 |
| State-tax treatment | Excluded | 0% simplified |
Time and daily routine
The commute-time distribution produces a weighted one-way estimate of about 27 minutes in Irvine and 30 minutes in Houston. This citywide estimate cannot capture a specific route, remote-work schedule, or transit choice, so the calculator converts it into an explicit time difference instead of hiding it in a subjective lifestyle score.
Decision checklist
- Median household income disparity
- Median gross rent affordability
- Median owner-occupied home value
- State individual income-tax treatment
What each city wins
Irvine
Median rent is nearly triple the national average.. Watch high income offsets high housing costs, but discretionary savings may be limited..
Houston
Median owner-occupied home value of $277,800.. Watch a citywide median income of $64,813 paired with a 30-minute derived commute..
Frequently asked questions
How do housing costs compare between Irvine and Houston?
Irvine's median gross rent is $2,997 per month, more than double Houston's $1,361, while Irvine's median home value is $1,191,500 versus Houston's $277,800, indicating substantially higher housing expenses in Irvine across both rental and ownership markets.
What is the difference in commute times and income between the two cities?
Irvine residents have a median household income of $136,719, over double Houston's $64,813, with Irvine's average one-way commute at 27 minutes compared to Houston's 30 minutes, showing Irvine's income advantage alongside a marginally shorter commute.
Source boundary: Core figures come from the 2024 ACS five-year tables linked on each city profile. Commute is derived from B08303 midpoint weighting. A state-tax value without an approved official reference is excluded and disclosed. This comparison becomes index-eligible only after its unique analysis clears the content quality gate.