Relocating to a different area or simply considering a visit requires a comprehensive comparative analysis. Both Irvine and Trabuco in California are attractive places to live and visit. However, they have distinctive traits in aspects such as crime and safety, weather, cost of living, education, economy, infrastructure, industries and occupations, major employers, real estate, neighborhoods, commuting, taxes, culture and food, sports teams, geographical conditions, and health care.
Irvine maintains a reputation as one of the safest cities in the United States, with a very low crime rate, making it a great location for families and retirees. Trabuco, on the other hand, is a small, unincorporated community with a relatively low crime rate but not as low as Irvine's.
Cost of Living
The cost of living in Irvine is generally higher than in Trabuco, mainly due to higher housing costs. This is offset somewhat by Irvine's higher median income.
Income Tax
Residents of both Irvine and Trabuco are subject to the progressive California state income tax, which ranges from 1% to 13.3%.
Property Tax
Property tax rates in both cities are set at the standard California rate of 1% of assessed value, with additional local levies.
Sales Tax
Both cities adhere to the standard California state sales tax of 7.25%.
Income
Type
Irvine
Trabuco
Estimated median household income
$105,774
$137,080
Estimated per capita income
$54,053
$62,838
Cost of living index (U.S. average is 100)
89.8
94.2
If you make $50,000 in Irvine, you will have to make $52,450 in Trabuco to maintain the same standard of living.
Geographical Conditions
Irvine is relatively flat and urban, while Trabuco is hilly and more rural, providing more outdoor recreational opportunities.
Geographical information
Type
Irvine
Trabuco
Land area
46.2 sq. miles
221.7 sq. miles
Population density
6,691.5 people per sq. mile
873.7 people per sq. mile
Relative area comparison
Irvine, CA Trabuco, CA
Education
Irvine is home to a number of highly-rated public and private schools, and is also the location of the University of California, Irvine. Education in Trabuco is good but somewhat limited compared to Irvine due to its smaller size.
The Irvine economy is robust and diverse with key sectors in technology, finance and education. Trabuco has a smaller, more localized economy mostly dependent on service industries and local businesses.
Biggest Employers
Big-name employers in Irvine include University of California, Irvine; Irvine Unified School District; and tech companies like Broadcom Inc. In Trabuco, the largest employers are small businesses and local services.
Weather
Both cities enjoy the signature Southern California weather - sunny, mainly warm days with mild winters. However, Irvine, being closer to the coast, tends to have slightly cooler summers and milder winters than Trabuco.
Weather and climate
Type
Irvine
Trabuco
Temperature - Average
63.6°F
62.6°F
Humidity - Average morning or afternoon humidity
69.5%
69%
Humidity - Differences between morning and afternoon humidity
25.7%
24.6%
Humidity - Maximum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
77.7%
76.8%
Humidity - Minimum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
52%
52.2%
Precipitation - Yearly average
13.1 in
13.1 in
Snowfall - Yearly average
0 in
0 in
Clouds - Number of days clear of clouds
26.6%
26.8%
Sunshine amount - Average
78.3%
77.9%
Sunshine amount - Differences during a year
21.7%
21.1%
Sunshine amount - Maximum monthly
84.4%
83.1%
Sunshine amount - Minimum monthly
62.7%
62%
Wind speed - Average
5.7 mph
5.5 mph
Average climate in Irvine, California
Average climate in Trabuco, California
Air pollution
Type
AQI
CO
NO2
OZONE
PB
PM10
PM25
SO2
Year
Irvine
Trabuco
Irvine
Trabuco
Irvine
Trabuco
Irvine
Trabuco
Irvine
Irvine
Trabuco
Irvine
Trabuco
Irvine
Trabuco
2018
119
121
0.25
0.19
13.5
10.4
31.5
34.0
N/A
N/A
27.5
23.9
12.5
8.8
N/A
N/A
2017
116
122
0.27
0.22
13.1
10.2
32.5
34.6
N/A
N/A
26.7
24.3
13.7
12.1
N/A
N/A
2016
102
112
0.24
0.13
11.6
10.5
31.6
34.0
N/A
N/A
24.1
22.6
12.6
10.8
0.1
0.1
2015
104
123
0.21
0.08
12.6
11.0
31.3
32.7
N/A
N/A
25.0
21.4
14.6
12.1
0.1
0.1
2014
109
107
0.20
0.10
12.3
10.6
30.1
31.5
N/A
N/A
26.7
25.9
15.8
13.4
0.3
0.3
2013
107
110
0.25
0.16
13.1
11.3
28.8
30.0
0.003
N/A
29.2
25.8
14.1
11.6
0.2
0.2
2012
103
114
0.28
0.28
12.1
11.1
28.1
30.4
0.004
N/A
27.9
23.5
14.4
12.0
0.1
0.1
2011
109
129
0.24
0.14
13.8
11.6
28.6
30.4
0.006
N/A
27.6
25.3
15.9
12.7
0.3
0.3
2010
102
113
0.27
0.21
13.4
11.9
28.4
30.9
0.011
N/A
23.6
23.4
14.3
12.7
0.6
0.6
2009
118
134
0.26
0.13
15.3
14.1
29.3
31.6
0.009
N/A
24.3
26.3
14.7
13.5
1.1
1.1
2008
124
142
0.33
0.24
16.0
14.7
29.8
31.8
0.008
N/A
29.7
36.1
21.6
12.0
1.1
1.1
2007
100
114
0.31
0.22
15.9
15.1
28.6
30.7
0.010
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
0.8
0.8
2006
109
113
0.36
0.30
16.7
15.9
28.1
30.9
0.005
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
1.3
1.3
2005
91
112
0.35
0.27
17.0
15.4
28.8
29.9
0.011
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
1.3
1.3
2004
118
132
0.42
0.27
18.3
16.5
31.8
32.8
0.012
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
1.6
1.6
2003
116
132
0.53
0.34
21.1
19.4
29.9
30.7
0.046
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
1.1
1.1
2002
103
130
0.54
0.38
20.7
19.0
26.5
27.6
0.010
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
1.6
1.6
2001
109
140
0.65
0.48
20.7
19.3
26.5
27.4
0.011
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
1.4
1.4
2000
116
140
0.67
0.46
23.6
20.9
24.1
23.9
0.016
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
1.9
1.9
Natural disasters
Type
Irvine
Trabuco
Tornado activity compared to U.S. average
18.7%
17.8%
Earthquake activity compared to U.S. average
6,900.9%
6,886.7%
Natural disasters compared to U.S. average
32%
32%
Transportation
Public transportation and commuting options are more abundant in Irvine, including buses, trains, and bike paths. Trabuco is more isolated with limited public transit; a car is usually necessary for commuting.
Transport
Type
Irvine
Trabuco
Amtrak stations
1
0
Amtrak stations nearby
3
3
FAA registered aircraft
173
0
FAA registered aircraft manufacturers and dealers
2
0
Means of transportation to work
Type
Irvine
Trabuco
Bicycle
1.2%
0.1%
Bus
0.2%
0.7%
Carpooled
9.5%
9.8%
Car alone
84.4%
82.2%
Motorcycle
0.2%
0.3%
Railroad
0.1%
0.2%
Walked
2.2%
0.9%
Average travel time to work
Type
Irvine
Trabuco
Average
30.7 min
29.5 min
Real Estate
Irvine has a competitive real estate market with a range of options from apartments to family homes. Trabuco offers more rural and suburban-style housing, typically at lower costs than Irvine.
Neighborhoods
Irvine offers a range of neighborhoods, from bustling urban centers to quieter suburban areas. Trabuco is more homogeneous, with a rural-suburban feel throughout.
Houses and residents
Type
Irvine
Trabuco
Houses
122,260
65,231
Average household size (people)
2.6
2.9
Houses occupied
111,648 (91.3%)
63,870 (97.9%)
Houses occupied by owners
49,861 (44.7%)
51,733 (81%)
Houses occupied by renters
61,787 (55.3%)
12,137 (19%)
Median rent asked for vacant for-rent units
$3,151
$2,415
Median price asked for vacant for-sale houses and condos
$948,000
$1,099,558
Estimated median house or condo value
$970,500
$950,072
Median number of rooms in apartments
3.8
3.9
Median number of rooms in houses and condos
5.9
6.1
Housing density (houses/condos per square mile)
2,647.3
294.2
Household income disparities
41.8%
34.1%
Housing units without a mortgage
316 (1%)
4,627 (10%)
Housing units with both a second mortgage and home equity loan
2,738 (8.4%)
216 (0.5%)
Housing units with a mortgage
32,261 (99%)
41,874 (90%)
Housing units with a home equity loan
0 (0%)
4,834 (10.4%)
Housing units with a second mortgage
3,066 (9.4%)
7,104 (15.3%)
Housing units lacking complete kitchen facilities
2.2%
0.4%
Housing units lacking complete plumbing facilities
Self-employed workers in own not incorporated business
9,200
7,574
State government workers
9,735
2,599
Unpaid family workers
399
310
Industries and Occupations
Technology, healthcare, professional services, and education are the dominant industries in Irvine. Trabuco, with its smaller economy and population, has more localized industries including retail and personal services.
Health Care
Irvine boasts high-quality health care facilities, including several hospitals. Trabuco receives medical services primarily from neighboring cities.
Infrastructure
Being a planned city, Irvine boasts high-quality infrastructure including advanced transportation systems, public utilities, and well-maintained public spaces. Trabuco's rural character means its infrastructure is less developed.
Infrastructure
Type
Irvine
Trabuco
TV stations
2
1
Nuclear power plants nearby
2
2
Schools
School facilities
Type
Irvine
Trabuco
Private elementary/middle schools
6
0
Private high schools
4
0
Public elementary/middle schools
33
3
Public high schools
8
0
Colleges/Universities
7
0
Culture and Food
Irvine has a diverse cultural scene with food from around the globe, world-class shopping centers, and a vibrant art scene. Trabuco has an insular, close-knit community with local eateries.
Sports Teams
Irvine residents are a short drive from professional sports teams in Los Angeles and Anaheim. Trabuco lacks local teams but shares proximity with Irvine to notable professional sports.
Irvine, CA
Trabuco, CA
Irvine, CA and 
Trabuco, CA : 10.7 miles
