Irvine

Jasmine's take on Irvine

"My clients ask most about four villages, and they're very different. Woodbridge is classic Irvine: villages built in the late '70s and '80s, with mature trees, two lakes with beach lagoons, and parks throughout. Woodbury is the 2000s version, with a more modern look, a walkable town center, resort-style pools and newer floor plans. It carries Mello-Roos taxes, so check the tax bill before you compare prices. Great Park is the newest construction, built around a huge sports complex, with a busy, multi-generational feel. Orchard Hills is the luxury end: gated hillside neighborhoods with canyon views, high-end architecture, and price tags and Mello-Roos to match."

— Jasmine Sayeed, REALTOR®, Broker / Founder, Melati Real Estate Group

What you'll find for housing

Irvine has a higher share of multifamily housing than the Southern California region overall. About 40% of its roughly 109,000 homes are detached houses, and about 44% are in multifamily buildings, against about 35% multifamily across the six-county region.

The largest share of Irvine's homes, 23.7%, was built from 2000 to 2009, followed by 20.4% in the 1970s. Some newer villages, including Woodbury and Orchard Hills, carry Mello-Roos special taxes, so compare the full tax bill, not just the price.

Source: SCAG local housing data for Irvine, April 2021, using California Department of Finance and American Community Survey estimates.

Schools

Most of Irvine is in the Irvine Unified School District. Some parts of the city are served by Tustin Unified, Saddleback Valley Unified or Santa Ana Unified instead.

District lines don't always follow village names, so confirm the schools for the exact address with Irvine Unified or the district that serves it.

Getting around

Six major routes run through or along Irvine: Interstates 5 and 405, plus State Routes 73, 133, 241 and 261. Several of those are toll roads, so check which route your commute would use.

• Air: John Wayne Airport sits just past the city's western border.
• Rail: Metrolink stops at Irvine Station, and Tustin Station sits next to the city's western edge.
• Shopping and jobs: the Irvine Spectrum district on the eastern side of the city and UC Irvine are both major draws.

Parks and open space

• Orange County Great Park: about 1,300 acres on the former El Toro Marine base. Its sports complex covers 53 acres, plus a 48-acre baseball and softball complex, with up to 24 soccer fields, 25 tennis courts and the Great Park Ice arena with four rinks.
• William R. Mason Regional Park: a county regional park in the city.
• San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary: wetlands and walking trails near UC Irvine.
• Village parks and pools: Woodbridge alone has at least 14 parks and two swimming lagoons, and Woodbury's Commons covers 30 acres.

The market right now

The median Irvine home sold for $1,518,995 over the three months ending August 2026, down 3.2% from a year earlier. Homes sold in a median of 53 days, four days faster than a year ago, and 572 homes sold in August.

A citywide median covers very different villages, from condos to gated hillside estates. Price a specific home against recent sales in its own village.

Source: Redfin, Irvine housing market, read October 4, 2026.

Irvine questions, answered

What do homes cost in Irvine?

The median home in Irvine sold for $1,518,995 over the three months ending August 2026, down 3.2% from a year earlier, according to Redfin. Prices vary widely by village.

What is the difference between Woodbridge and Woodbury?

Woodbridge is an older village with two lakes, filled in 1976 and 1980, each with a beach club and swimming lagoon. Woodbury was built from 2004 to 2013, with a town center, resort-style pools at The Commons, and Mello-Roos taxes.

Is Orchard Hills guard-gated?

All three Orchard Hills villages are gated. The Reserve has a 24-hour guard, while The Groves and The Summit use automated gates.

What school district serves Irvine?

Most of Irvine is in the Irvine Unified School District. Some parts are served by Tustin Unified, Saddleback Valley Unified or Santa Ana Unified.

How long do homes take to sell in Irvine?

The median home sold in 53 days over the three months ending August 2026, four days faster than a year earlier, according to Redfin.

What kinds of homes are in Irvine?

About 40% of Irvine's roughly 109,000 homes are detached houses, about 16% are townhomes, and about 44% are in multifamily buildings.

Which real estate agent serves Irvine?

Jasmine Sayeed, REALTOR®, Broker / Founder of Melati Real Estate Group (DRE 02051340), works with buyers and sellers in Irvine and across Orange County. Book a call.

Sources: Irvine, California · Woodbridge Village Association · SoCal Home Fix — Woodbury · SoCal Home Fix — Orchard Hills · City of Irvine — Great Park Sports Complex