Source-led head-to-head · 2024 ACS
Moving from Irvine to Phoenix
Based on 2024 ACS 5-year data, Irvine shows significantly higher median household income ($136,719) and home values ($1,191,500) compared to Phoenix ($81,332 income, $420,700 home value), while Phoenix offers lower median gross rent ($1,582 vs Irvine's $2,997). Commute times are similar (Irvine 27 minutes, Phoenix 28 minutes). Phoenix applies a simplified state individual income-tax reference of 2.50% in the calculator model, whereas Irvine's profile deliberately excludes state tax due to lack of approved official reference. The uniform non-housing calculator baseline of $1,250 per month applies to both cities as a model assumption. This reveals a trade-off: Irvine provides higher income and home equity but at substantially higher housing costs, while Phoenix offers more affordable housing relative to income, with comparable commutes and a modeled tax consideration.
Corridor Direction & Trade-off Delta
⇄ Switch to Phoenix → IrvineMoving from Irvine to Phoenix
Median Rent Impact
-$1,415/mo
Moving to Phoenix saves ~$16,980/yr in rent.
State Tax Treatment
+2.5%
~$2,500 more state tax on a $100k salary in Arizona.
Daily Commute Difference
+1 min / day
Difference of ~8 hours per year spent commuting based on 2024 ACS midpoint averages.
Your move
Compare the life behind the offer.
Adjust the assumptions. Every result updates instantly.
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 → PHX
77/ 100
Worth serious consideration
Your modeled annual room improves.Estimated annual life delta+$26,564after essentials; unverified state tax excluded
Best gainA balanced income-to-rent profile with a low flat state-tax reference
Watch closelyThe $420,700 home-value benchmark is materially above Dallas despite similar commute time
The short answer
In the uniform one-person renting baseline, Phoenix is about $16,980 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
Phoenix household income$81,332
Irvine gross rent$2,997
Phoenix gross rent$1,582
Housing, income, and tax reference
| Metric | Irvine | Phoenix |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 ACS population | 311,690 | 1,642,323 |
| Median household income | $136,719 | $81,332 |
| Median gross rent | $2,997 | $1,582 |
| Median owner-occupied home value | $1,191,500 | $420,700 |
| State-tax treatment | Excluded | 2.5% simplified |
Time and daily routine
The commute-time distribution produces a weighted one-way estimate of about 27 minutes in Irvine and 28 minutes in Phoenix. 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
- Housing cost and value gap
- Comparable commute durations
- Modeled state tax treatment difference
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..
Phoenix
A balanced income-to-rent profile with a low flat state-tax reference. Watch the $420,700 home-value benchmark is materially above dallas despite similar commute time.
Frequently asked questions
How do housing costs compare between Irvine and Phoenix relative to local incomes?
Irvine's median gross rent is 89% higher than Phoenix's ($2,997 vs $1,582), while Irvine's median household income is only 68% higher ($136,719 vs $81,332), indicating housing costs consume a larger income share in Irvine despite higher earnings.
What explains the difference in state tax treatment between the two city profiles?
Phoenix uses a simplified state individual income-tax reference of 2.50% in the calculator model, while Irvine's profile excludes state tax because no current official state reference has been approved for automatic inclusion in its profile, per the data boundaries.
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.