Median rent is 39% lower in New York ($1,779/mo vs $2,893/mo). Buying is cheaper in New York, where the median home runs $751,700 versus $1,115,400. Households earn more in Irvine ($129,647 vs $79,713 a year).
City A
Irvine, CA
City B
New York, NY
How much would you need to earn in New York, NY to maintain your standard of living from Irvine, CA?
A cost-of-living index isn't available for one of these cities yet, so we can't compute an equivalent salary.
Based on BEA Regional Price Parity (cost index) for each city's metro area. A rough estimate of overall purchasing power, not tax or take-home pay.
Metric
Irvine
California
New York
New York
👥Population
💰Median Household Income
Annual
🏠Median Gross Rent
Per month
🏡Median Home Value
📊Cost of Living Index
US avg = 100
🔑1BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🔑2BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🔑3BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🌬️Air Quality Index
Lower = cleaner
🏛️Top State Income Tax
Top marginal rate
🧾State Sales Tax
Statewide base rate
🎂Median Age
Years
✓ = better value · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation
Renters will find significantly cheaper housing in New York — median rent of $1,779/mo versus $2,893/mo in Irvine, a 39% difference. Home buyers face a steeper market in Irvine: the median home is $1,115,400 versus $751,700 in New York — 33% more expensive.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
California's top income tax rate is 13.30% versus 10.90% in New York, so New York is more tax-friendly for high earners. Sales tax is 7.25% in California and 4.00% in New York; New York has the lower rate (local add-ons may apply in both).
Irvine
Income tax: 13.30%
Sales tax: 7.25%
New York
Income tax: 10.90%
Sales tax: 4.00%
Air quality data is available for New York (avg AQI 61.0) but not yet for Irvine.
Pick Irvine if you prioritize higher median household income ($129,647/yr).
Pick New York if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,779/mo median).
Pick New York if you prioritize lower state income tax (10.90%).
Is Irvine cheaper than New York?
Cost of living index data is not yet available for one or both cities.
How much is rent in Irvine vs New York?
Median rent is $2,893/mo in Irvine, CA and $1,779/mo in New York, NY. New York, NY has the lower rent by about 39%.
Which has higher salaries — Irvine or New York?
Median household income is $129,647 in Irvine, CA and $79,713 in New York, NY. Irvine, CA has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
Which city has better air quality?
Air quality data is not yet available for one or both cities.
Which has lower taxes — Irvine or New York?
California's top income tax rate is 13.30% and New York's is 10.90%. New York, NY has the lower rate.
What salary do I need in New York to match my Irvine income?
RPP data needed for salary equivalence calculation is not yet available.
Data last updated: December 1, 2024 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology