Cost of Living in Irvine, CA - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $1,249 (excluding rent), and $3,833 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $3,089 (excluding rent), and $7,191 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$24.63 $24.63

$18.72 $18.72

$24.63 $24.63

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$99.7 $99.7

$84.7 $84.7

$174 $174

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$10.04 $10.04

$15.05 $15.05

Cappuccino

$5.45 $5.45

$3.93 $3.93

$7.86 $7.86

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.7 $2.7

$2.02 $2.02

$3.03 $3.03

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.12 $2.12

$2.04 $2.04

$3.05 $3.05

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$8.16 $8.16

$5.1 $5.1

$11.22 $11.22

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$9.08 $9.08

$7.19 $7.19

$10.26 $10.26

Milk (1 liter)

$1.2 $1.2

$0.9 $0.9

$1.56 $1.56

White Bread (500g)

$5.46 $5.46

$2.14 $2.14

$6.47 $6.47

Rice (white) (1kg)

$4.74 $4.74

$2 $2

$11.1 $11.1

Eggs

$4.4 $4.4

$2.93 $2.93

$7.83 $7.83

Local Cheese (1kg)

$12.35 $12.35

$5.23 $5.23

$15.3 $15.3

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$11.42 $11.42

$4.35 $4.35

$29.28 $29.28

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$14.72 $14.72

$8.91 $8.91

$46.89 $46.89

Apples (1kg)

$6.2 $6.2

$3.62 $3.62

$12.81 $12.81

Banana (1kg)

$1.93 $1.93

$1.56 $1.56

$3.39 $3.39

Oranges (1kg)

$3.92 $3.92

$2.23 $2.23

$11.18 $11.18

Tomato (1kg)

$5.6 $5.6

$2.25 $2.25

$9.02 $9.02

Potato (1kg)

$3.32 $3.32

$1.8 $1.8

$4.52 $4.52

Onion (1kg)

$3.07 $3.07

$2 $2

$4.5 $4.5

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.1 $2.1

$1.48 $1.48

$3.97 $3.97

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.1 $2.1

$1.43 $1.43

$3.05 $3.05

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$9.91 $9.91

$9.86 $9.86

$9.97 $9.97

Wine (Bottle)

$15.16 $15.16

$10.09 $10.09

$45.47 $45.47

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.75 $1.75

$4.34 $4.34

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.5 $4.5

$1.95 $1.95

$5.83 $5.83

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.96 $1.96

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$72.3 $72.3

$68.2 $68.2

$76.3 $76.3

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$4.09 $4.09

$3.07 $3.07

$5.12 $5.12

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$2.71 $2.71

$1.53 $1.53

$2.71 $2.71

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$31.55 $31.55

$26.03 $26.03

$34.51 $34.51

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.25 $1.25

$1.13 $1.13

$1.3 $1.3

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$28K $28K

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$26.6K $26.6K

$27K $27K

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$202 $202

$151 $151

$292 $292

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$55.3 $55.3

$43.74 $43.74

$91.6 $91.6

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$71 $71

$68.7 $68.7

$83.4 $83.4

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$54.7 $54.7

$35.35 $35.35

$101 $101

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$13.15 $13.15

Cinema Ticket

$14.26 $14.26

$10.19 $10.19

$18.33 $18.33

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$1,842 $1,842

$1,500 $1,500

$1,951 $1,951

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$39.4K $39.4K

$29.4K $29.4K

$41.8K $41.8K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$70.4 $70.4

$25.5 $25.5

$90.8 $90.8

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$40 $40

$14.72 $14.72

$58.9 $58.9

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$75.7 $75.7

$59 $59

$123 $123

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$154 $154

$99 $99

$248 $248

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,700 $2,700

$2,185 $2,185

$3,278 $3,278

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,346 $2,346

$1,778 $1,778

$2,963 $2,963

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,634 $4,634

$4,153 $4,153

$5,065 $5,065

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$3,821 $3,821

$3,438 $3,438

$4,421 $4,421

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$8,210 $8,210

$7,831 $7,831

$8,346 $8,346

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$8,111 $8,111

$6,903 $6,903

$8,352 $8,352

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$6,037 $6,037

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.69

6.19

7.7

Citycost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update: December 2, 2025

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

City tags:

🌎 North america

Cost of Living in Irvine, CA - Frequently Asked Questions

Affordability in Irvine reflects a balance between premium services and a stable local economy. The city delivers clean safety, solid infrastructure, and reliable amenities that support short stays and longer assignments, but housing and daily costs trend higher than many places. If you value a well-run base with strong services, Irvine tends to feel worth it for medium- to long-term stays. Note: Cost of Living in Irvine, CA, United States sets a benchmark among coastal metros. Tip: Start with a short-term rental to test the vibe and compare neighborhoods before committing.

Irvine's master-planned layout makes housing search smoother, with neighborhoods like Woodbridge, Quail Hill, and Turtle Rock offering different vibes, from close-knit to leafy and quiet. For daily life, you’ll find modern groceries, diverse dining, and seasonal farmers markets. Transport is car-centric but bike-friendly paths connect campuses and business hubs, and a growing set of co-working spaces supports remote work near Irvine Spectrum. Errands are convenient with abundant shops and services close to home. Irvine, CA, United States living cost is often tied to housing proximity to work and schools. Tip: Try a three-week stay in a couple of areas to gauge commute times and amenities.

Quality of life in Irvine is anchored by safety, green spaces, and a forward-looking vibe. To plan your stay, pick neighborhoods that match your pace – family-friendly pockets near parks or lively corridors near business hubs. Build a flexible budget: set housing as a priority, then allocate for groceries, dining, and entertainment, but look for long-term leases or shared housing to ease peak-season spikes. Seasonal shifts in traffic and school calendars can change commute times, so map out alternatives. Community options and local meetups help you size up neighborhood fit quickly. Tip: use trial stays and a simple expense log to spot savings and rhythm.