2025 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Irvine, CA vs Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA

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Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Carmel-by-the-Sea or is it cheaper to live in Irvine?
- Carmel-by-the-Sea is 7.9% less expensive than Irvine.

Which city has more affordable housing, Carmel-by-the-Sea or Irvine?
- Carmel-by-the-Sea housing costs are 84.4% more expensive than Irvine housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Irvine or is Health Care more affordable in Carmel-by-the-Sea.
- Health related expenses are 53.9% more in Carmel-by-the-Sea.
 Irvine, CACarmel-by-the-Sea, CAUnited States
 Overall  Unlock151.9100
 Food & Groceries105.6  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock143.7100
 Housing353.4  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$1,916,200$338,100
 Utilities98  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock103.7100
 Miscellaneous155.8  Unlock100
100 = National Average (Below 100 means cheaper than the US average. Above 100 means more expensive.)
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Reviews for Irvine    42 Reviews

We've lived in Irvine since '87. We have raised two children within the ISUD. Both are grown up. Sure, there have been many changes since then.. the City has  More

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I've lived in Irvine for 2 years and in Orange County for 10 so I'm pretty familiar with the area by now and all it has to offer. Perhaps my review of this place has  More

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I wouldn't live elsewhere. I originally moved to Irvine in 2002 from the Midwest, not knowing what it even was. I left and moved around a great deal locally in OC,  More

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Reviews for Carmel-By-The-Sea    3 Reviews

Over 9 years ago

Climate, cost &  More

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carmel has about 60 vacation homes and a dense cottage-y downtown. basically it is a tourist trap cental business district and a bunch of vacation rental homes. the  More

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Over 17 years ago

Liberals have run me out of town. The political is so overwhelming I am looking to relocate. However, if you are an aging hippie with a great deal of money you will be  More

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