Cost of Living: Irvine, CA vs Fullerton, CA (2026)

Irvine

California
256
VS

Fullerton

California
195

Irvine is 31% more expensive than Fullerton.

$2,893/mo ↑ 36%
Median Rent
$2,124/mo ↓ 27%
$129,647/yr ↑ 24%
Median Income
$104,219/yr ↓ 20%
$1,115,400 ↑ 30%
Home Value
$859,600 ↓ 23%
$2,904/mo ↑ 29%
Owner Costs
$2,251/mo ↓ 22%
308,160
Population
141,278

Tax Comparison

13.3%
Income Tax
13.3%
7.25%
State Sales Tax
7.25%
0.71%
Property Tax
0.71%

Affordability

26.8%
rent-to-income
Affordability
24.5%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Irvine, CA and Fullerton, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 256 and 195 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $769/month cheaper in Fullerton, saving renters about $9,228/year.

Median household income is $25,428/year higher in Irvine. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Irvine is $1,115,400 compared to $859,600 in Fullerton.

Both cities share the same state tax structure since they are in California.

Frequently Asked Questions

Irvine vs Fullerton — common questions

Is Irvine or Fullerton cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Fullerton is cheaper to live in with an index of 195 compared to 256 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Irvine and Fullerton?
Median rent in Irvine is $2,893/month and in Fullerton it's $2,124/month — a difference of $769/month.
Which city has higher income, Irvine or Fullerton?
Median household income is $129,647 in Irvine and $104,219 in Fullerton. Median household income is $25,428/year higher in Irvine.
How do taxes compare between California and California?
Both cities are in California and share the same state tax rates: 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax.
Should I move to Irvine or Fullerton?
It depends on your priorities. Irvine has a cost index of 256 with median rent of $2,893/mo, while Fullerton has a cost index of 195 with rent of $2,124/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Irvine details → View Fullerton details →

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