City comparison
Yes. Irvine's crime index is 51 versus 91 in Madison, and its violent crime index is 24 versus 68, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Madison is cheaper. Median rent is $1,413 a month versus $2,997 in Irvine.
The income gap between Irvine and Madison is significant: $136,719 median household versus $78,050. That spread matters more if you are job hunting locally than if you are remote. Typical rent is $2,997 in Irvine and $1,413 in Madison.
Irvine is not a close call here. It leads on the job market, safety, and weather by margins that add up in daily life. Madison makes sense if you have a specific reason, a job offer, family, or a neighborhood you already know, but on the numbers alone Irvine is the stronger move.
The rent gap is real but neighborhoods matter. Madison at $1,413 average has pockets that run $1,213 and others at $1,813: your actual number depends on which part of the city you land in.
The move
Irvine and Madison are 1,661 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $2,997 a month in Irvine to $1,413 a month in Madison, down $1,584 a month (53%).
Median household income goes from $136,719 in Irvine to $78,050 in Madison, down $58,669 (43%).
The crime index goes from 51 in Irvine to 91 in Madison, up 40 points (78%).
The move
Madison and Irvine are 1,661 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,413 a month in Madison to $2,997 a month in Irvine, up $1,584 a month (112%).
Median household income goes from $78,050 in Madison to $136,719 in Irvine, up $58,669 (75%).
The crime index goes from 91 in Madison to 51 in Irvine, down 40 points (44%).
Irvine, CA
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Madison, WI
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing Irvine and Madison? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
53% cheaper
Madison rent is 53% cheaper than Irvine
Irvine
$2,997/mo
Madison
Winner$1,413/mo
Typical rent runs $1,413 a month in Madison versus $2,997 in Irvine, so Madison is 53% cheaper. That's roughly $1,584/month back in your pocket ($19,008/year). Over five years that's $95,040 you could redirect toward a down payment, travel, or investments. Housing is the bill you pay before groceries, childcare, or a social life, so that gap shows up in how often you eat out and how panicked a rent hike feels. If you already have a high-paying offer in Irvine, the extra rent can be rational. If you do not, Madison is the easier city to land in without blowing up your budget.
Planning to buy in Irvine? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
75% higher
Irvine's median income is 75% higher than Madison
Irvine
Winner$136,719
Madison
$78,050
Median household income is $136,719 in Irvine versus $78,050 in Madison, so typical pay runs 75% higher in Irvine (about $58,669 more household income a year). Higher median income usually signals a stronger local job market and better negotiating leverage on salary. Remote workers should weigh this against cost of living rather than treating it as a direct personal benefit. For people who will actually work in town, Irvine is the stronger labor market on paper. Madison can still win if housing is cheap enough to offset the weaker median or if your specific role already pays well there.
Crime index
44% lower crime
Irvine's crime index is 44% lower than Madison
Irvine
Winner51 (100 = avg)
Madison
91 (100 = avg)
Irvine's crime index is 51 versus 91 in Madison (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 44% lower in Irvine. That gap is meaningful day-to-day. It affects whether you feel comfortable walking at night, leaving your car on the street, or letting kids play outside unsupervised. Indexes still compress a lot of reality: a calmer city has blocks you would skip, and a higher-crime city has streets that feel neighborly at 10 p.m. On the everyday test of walking from the car to the door, Irvine is the easier city. Madison can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
56% more comfortable
Irvine weather is 56% more comfortable than Madison
Irvine
Winner76°F avg · 83°F highs · comfort 100/100
Madison
52°F avg · 62°F highs · comfort 64/100
Irvine averages about 76°F (83°F highs); Madison averages about 52°F (62°F highs). Irvine sits near 76°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Madison averages around 52°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Irvine scores 56% closer to the 65-80°F comfort band on this page, so it is the easier default for year-round outdoor errands and evenings. Choose Madison if you already prefer its hotter or cooler pattern and have budgeted for the AC or heating that comes with it.
Fit check
Career-focused movers who want salary upside plus year-round outdoor access
It is also a match for career-focused movers who want salary upside and year-round outdoor access. Median household income runs 75% higher ($136,719), and typical weather is the more comfortable of the two (around 76°F). That pairing is for people who will work hard and then actually use the evenings.
Irvine is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 44% lower than Madison (51 vs a 100 national average). That gap shows up in how freely you walk at night and how much attention you spend on the car and the deadbolt.
Fit check
People with a job, family, or neighborhood already pulling them to Madison
Madison is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 53% cheaper here at about $1,413 a month. Choose Madison if you are stretching a salary, starting over, or want slack for travel and debt instead of a flashier skyline.
Bottom line
Irvine runs $2,997/month while Madison sits at $1,413 — roughly 53% lower on typical leases. Unless your offer letter is Irvine-sized, that monthly gap compounds fast.
Madison rent at $1,413/month is still below Irvine's $2,997, so cost-sensitive households should weigh the lease before the paycheck.
Safety scores read 80/100 in Irvine and 63/100 in Madison.
Most movers who prioritize housing cost land in Madison; Irvine only makes sense when your offer letter is already written for Irvine at $136,719 income.
Common questions
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Irvine and Madison, plus other cities in CA and WI.
