City comparison
No. Irvine's crime index is 51 versus 93 in Tampa, and its violent crime index is 24 versus 112, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Tampa is cheaper. Median rent is $1,701 a month versus $2,997 in Irvine.
The income gap between Tampa and Irvine is significant: $75,475 median household versus $136,719. That spread matters more if you are job hunting locally than if you are remote. Typical rent is $1,701 in Tampa and $2,997 in Irvine.
This is a genuine split. Tampa wins on cost of living and Irvine wins on the job market and safety. Which matters more depends entirely on how you live: remote workers and families weight these categories differently than commuters or single professionals.
The rent gap is real but neighborhoods matter. Tampa at $1,701 average has pockets that run $1,501 and others at $2,101: your actual number depends on which part of the city you land in.
The move
Tampa and Irvine are 2,125 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,701 a month in Tampa to $2,997 a month in Irvine, up $1,296 a month (76%).
Median household income goes from $75,475 in Tampa to $136,719 in Irvine, up $61,244 (81%).
The crime index goes from 93 in Tampa to 51 in Irvine, down 42 points (45%).
The move
Irvine and Tampa are 2,125 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $2,997 a month in Irvine to $1,701 a month in Tampa, down $1,296 a month (43%).
Median household income goes from $136,719 in Irvine to $75,475 in Tampa, down $61,244 (45%).
The crime index goes from 51 in Irvine to 93 in Tampa, up 42 points (82%).
Tampa, FL
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Irvine, CA
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing Tampa and Irvine? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
43% cheaper
Tampa rent is 43% cheaper than Irvine
Tampa
Winner$1,701/mo
Irvine
$2,997/mo
Typical rent runs $1,701 a month in Tampa versus $2,997 in Irvine, so Tampa is 43% cheaper. That's roughly $1,296/month back in your pocket ($15,552/year). Over five years that's $77,760 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, Tampa 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
81% higher
Irvine's median income is 81% higher than Tampa
Tampa
$75,475
Irvine
Winner$136,719
Median household income is $136,719 in Irvine versus $75,475 in Tampa, so typical pay runs 81% higher in Irvine (about $61,244 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. Tampa can still win if housing is cheap enough to offset the weaker median or if your specific role already pays well there.
Crime index
45% lower crime
Irvine's crime index is 45% lower than Tampa
Tampa
93 (100 = avg)
Irvine
Winner51 (100 = avg)
Irvine's crime index is 51 versus 93 in Tampa (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 45% 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. Tampa can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
Neck and neck
Tampa and Irvine are about even on typical weather.
Tampa
75°F avg · 83°F highs · comfort 100/100
Irvine
76°F avg · 83°F highs · comfort 100/100
Tampa averages about 75°F (83°F highs); Irvine averages about 76°F (83°F highs). Tampa sits near 75°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Irvine sits near 76°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. On daily comfort these two are close enough that the better fit is whichever season you already know you can live with.
Fit check
People with a job, family, or neighborhood already pulling them to Tampa
Tampa is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 43% cheaper here at about $1,701 a month. Choose Tampa if you are stretching a salary, starting over, or want slack for travel and debt instead of a flashier skyline.
Fit check
Career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth
Irvine is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 81% higher here ($136,719). Start with Irvine if your next chapter is about building earnings, and make weather or nightlife a secondary screen.
Irvine is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 45% lower than Tampa (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.
Bottom line
On rent alone, Tampa undercuts Irvine by $1,296/month ($1,701 vs $2,997). I would not pick Irvine on housing cost without a job that clears that spread.
Tampa rent at $1,701/month is still below Irvine's $2,997, so cost-sensitive households should weigh the lease before the paycheck.
Safety scores read 62/100 in Tampa and 80/100 in Irvine.
Tampa is the default on housing cost at $1,701/month versus $2,997 in Irvine; Irvine stays in play when $136,719 local pay or an existing job offer outweighs the $1,296 lease gap.
Common questions
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Next steps
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Tampa and Irvine, plus other cities in FL and CA.
