City comparison
No. Irvine's crime index is 51 versus 132 in Arlington, and its violent crime index is 24 versus 130, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Arlington is cheaper. Median rent is $1,470 a month versus $2,997 in Irvine.
The income gap between Arlington and Irvine is significant: $75,171 median household versus $136,719. That spread matters more if you are job hunting locally than if you are remote. Typical rent is $1,470 in Arlington and $2,997 in Irvine.
This is a genuine split. Arlington 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. Arlington at $1,470 average has pockets that run $1,270 and others at $1,870: your actual number depends on which part of the city you land in.
The move
Arlington and Irvine are 1,197 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,470 a month in Arlington to $2,997 a month in Irvine, up $1,527 a month (104%).
Median household income goes from $75,171 in Arlington to $136,719 in Irvine, up $61,548 (82%).
The crime index goes from 132 in Arlington to 51 in Irvine, down 81 points (61%).
The move
Irvine and Arlington are 1,197 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $2,997 a month in Irvine to $1,470 a month in Arlington, down $1,527 a month (51%).
Median household income goes from $136,719 in Irvine to $75,171 in Arlington, down $61,548 (45%).
The crime index goes from 51 in Irvine to 132 in Arlington, up 81 points (159%).
Arlington, TX
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 Arlington and Irvine? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
51% cheaper
Arlington rent is 51% cheaper than Irvine
Arlington
Winner$1,470/mo
Irvine
$2,997/mo
Typical rent runs $1,470 a month in Arlington versus $2,997 in Irvine, so Arlington is 51% cheaper. That's roughly $1,527/month back in your pocket ($18,324/year). Over five years that's $91,620 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, Arlington 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
82% higher
Irvine's median income is 82% higher than Arlington
Arlington
$75,171
Irvine
Winner$136,719
Median household income is $136,719 in Irvine versus $75,171 in Arlington, so typical pay runs 82% higher in Irvine (about $61,548 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. Arlington can still win if housing is cheap enough to offset the weaker median or if your specific role already pays well there.
Crime index
61% lower crime
Irvine's crime index is 61% lower than Arlington
Arlington
132 (100 = avg)
Irvine
Winner51 (100 = avg)
Irvine's crime index is 51 versus 132 in Arlington (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 61% 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. Arlington can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
Neck and neck
Arlington and Irvine are about even on typical weather.
Arlington
67°F avg · 74°F highs · comfort 100/100
Irvine
76°F avg · 83°F highs · comfort 100/100
Arlington averages about 67°F (74°F highs); Irvine averages about 76°F (83°F highs). Arlington sits near 67°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 Arlington
Arlington is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 51% cheaper here at about $1,470 a month. Choose Arlington 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 82% 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 61% lower than Arlington (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
Housing separates these metros first: $1,470/month in Arlington versus $2,997 in Irvine. Median income reads $75,171 in Arlington and $136,719 in Irvine, which matters when you stack rent against take-home pay.
Arlington rent at $1,470/month is still below Irvine's $2,997, so cost-sensitive households should weigh the lease before the paycheck.
Median income is $136,719 in Irvine versus $75,171 in Arlington.
If housing cost drives your move, Arlington is the stronger match ($1,470/month rent against $2,997). If an employer or family tie already points to Irvine, treat $2,997/month rent and $136,719 income as the numbers that actually govern the decision.
Common questions
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Next steps
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Arlington and Irvine, plus other cities in TX and CA.
