City comparison
No. Irving's crime index is 99 versus 143 in Anaheim, and its violent crime index is 78 versus 165, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Irving is cheaper. Median rent is $1,619 a month versus $2,175 in Anaheim.
Safety is where Anaheim and Irving split most clearly. Irving scores 44 points better on the crime index, a gap that shows up in evening walks, parking situations, and insurance rates. Rent runs $2,175 in Anaheim and $1,619 in Irving.
This is a genuine split. Anaheim wins on the job market and Irving wins on cost of living 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. Irving at $1,619 average has pockets that run $1,419 and others at $2,019: your actual number depends on which part of the city you land in.
The move
Anaheim and Irving are 1,210 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $2,175 a month in Anaheim to $1,619 a month in Irving, down $556 a month (26%).
Median household income goes from $95,227 in Anaheim to $81,830 in Irving, down $13,397 (14%).
The crime index goes from 143 in Anaheim to 99 in Irving, down 44 points (31%).
The move
Irving and Anaheim are 1,210 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,619 a month in Irving to $2,175 a month in Anaheim, up $556 a month (34%).
Median household income goes from $81,830 in Irving to $95,227 in Anaheim, up $13,397 (16%).
The crime index goes from 99 in Irving to 143 in Anaheim, up 44 points (44%).
Anaheim, CA
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Irving, TX
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing Anaheim and Irving? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
26% cheaper
Irving rent is 26% cheaper than Anaheim
Anaheim
$2,175/mo
Irving
Winner$1,619/mo
Typical rent runs $1,619 a month in Irving versus $2,175 in Anaheim, so Irving is 26% cheaper. That's roughly $556/month back in your pocket ($6,672/year). Over five years that's $33,360 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 Anaheim, the extra rent can be rational. If you do not, Irving is the easier city to land in without blowing up your budget.
Planning to buy in Irving? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
16% higher
Anaheim's median income is 16% higher than Irving
Anaheim
Winner$95,227
Irving
$81,830
Median household income is $95,227 in Anaheim versus $81,830 in Irving, so typical pay runs 16% higher in Anaheim (about $13,397 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, Anaheim is the stronger labor market on paper. Irving can still win if housing is cheap enough to offset the weaker median or if your specific role already pays well there.
Crime index
31% lower crime
Irving's crime index is 31% lower than Anaheim
Anaheim
143 (100 = avg)
Irving
Winner99 (100 = avg)
Irving's crime index is 99 versus 143 in Anaheim (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 31% lower in Irving. 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, Irving is the easier city. Anaheim can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
Neck and neck
Anaheim and Irving are about even on typical weather.
Anaheim
76°F avg · 83°F highs · comfort 100/100
Irving
70°F avg · 78°F highs · comfort 100/100
Anaheim averages about 76°F (83°F highs); Irving averages about 70°F (78°F highs). Anaheim sits near 76°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Irving sits near 70°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
Career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth
Anaheim is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 16% higher here ($95,227). Start with Anaheim if your next chapter is about building earnings, and make weather or nightlife a secondary screen.
Fit check
Families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy
Irving is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 26% cheaper here at about $1,619 a month. Choose Irving if you are stretching a salary, starting over, or want slack for travel and debt instead of a flashier skyline.
Irving is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 31% lower than Anaheim (99 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
Anaheim runs $2,175/month while Irving sits at $1,619 — roughly 26% lower on typical leases. Unless your offer letter is Anaheim-sized, that monthly gap compounds fast.
Irving rent at $1,619/month is still below Anaheim's $2,175, so cost-sensitive households should weigh the lease before the paycheck.
Median income is $95,227 in Anaheim versus $81,830 in Irving.
Most movers who prioritize housing cost land in Irving; Anaheim only makes sense when your offer letter is already written for Anaheim at $95,227 income.
Common questions
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Next steps
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Anaheim and Irving, plus other cities in CA and TX.
