What Salary Do You Need to Live in Irvine, CA?

To live comfortably in Irvine, a household needs to earn roughly $130,000/year. That's about $10,833/month before taxes.

The Number: $130,000/year

At $130,000 per year, a household in Irvine can afford median-priced rental housing at roughly 28% of gross income.

This is based on Irvine's median monthly rent of $3,091 and the 28% housing guideline. Source: Census ACS 2024.

Irvine at a Glance

Median rent$3,091/mo
Median home price$1,510,300
Median household income$145,731
State income taxUp to 13.3%
Sales tax7.75%

Sources: Census ACS 2024, Tax Foundation.

For Single Residents

A single person can live comfortably in Irvine on roughly $85,000/year. That's about $7,083/month before taxes.

See the full Irvine cost of living profile →

Compare Irvine to another city →

Try the Salary Calculator

Note: Salary estimates are based on the 28% housing guideline applied to median rents from Census ACS 2024. Individual circumstances vary. Full disclaimer.

Salary Questions About Irvine

The median monthly rent is $3,091. Using the 30% guideline, you need about $124,000/year to afford this comfortably.

The median home price is $1,510,300. With a 20% down payment, you would need roughly $302,060 saved and a household income to support the mortgage payments.

The median household income is $145,731/year. Our recommended salary of $130,000/year is near the median, reflecting a comfortable (not extravagant) standard of living.