Irvine once again affirmed its reputation as one of the nation’s premier places to live by earning the top spot among Southern California cities for renters in WalletHub’s 2025 “Best & Worst Places to Rent in America” report.
Irvine’s top ranking was driven by its high marks in the quality of life category, reflecting the city’s strong job market, high-quality public schools and abundant access to open spaces and recreational opportunities.
Nationally, Irvine was ranked as the 26th best city in the U.S. for renters, earning the second-highest overall score in California. The annual study evaluates 182 U.S. cities across 21 key metrics, including overall resident satisfaction, housing affordability and crime rates.
