City comparison
No. Irving's crime index is 99 versus 132 in Arlington, and its violent crime index is 78 versus 130, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Arlington is cheaper. Median rent is $1,470 a month versus $1,619 in Irving.
Safety is where Arlington and Irving split most clearly. Irving scores 33 points better on the crime index, a gap that shows up in evening walks, parking situations, and insurance rates. Rent runs $1,470 in Arlington and $1,619 in Irving.
This is a genuine split. Arlington wins on cost of living and Irving 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 crime gap is citywide. Irving has rougher pockets and Arlington has quiet ones: the index tells you the average, not your block.
The move
Arlington and Irving are 11 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,470 a month in Arlington to $1,619 a month in Irving, up $149 a month (10%).
Median household income goes from $75,171 in Arlington to $81,830 in Irving, up $6,659 (9%).
The crime index goes from 132 in Arlington to 99 in Irving, down 33 points (25%).
The move
Irving and Arlington are 11 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,619 a month in Irving to $1,470 a month in Arlington, down $149 a month (9%).
Median household income goes from $81,830 in Irving to $75,171 in Arlington, down $6,659 (8%).
The crime index goes from 99 in Irving to 132 in Arlington, up 33 points (33%).
Arlington, TX
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 Arlington and Irving? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
9% cheaper
Arlington rent is 9% cheaper than Irving
Arlington
Winner$1,470/mo
Irving
$1,619/mo
Typical rent runs $1,470 a month in Arlington versus $1,619 in Irving, so Arlington is 9% cheaper. The monthly spread is about $149, or $1,788 a year: noticeable, but rent alone should not pick the city. Use this as a tie-breaker after you compare income, schools, and crime, unless you are already stretching every dollar.
Planning to buy in Irving? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
9% higher
Irving's median income is 9% higher than Arlington
Arlington
$75,171
Irving
Winner$81,830
Median household income is $81,830 in Irving versus $75,171 in Arlington, so typical pay runs 9% higher in Irving (about $6,659 more household income a year). The income edge is modest. Treat it as extra negotiating context, not a reason to ignore rent, schools, or climate. Remote workers especially should not treat citywide pay as a personal raise if their employer will not localize salary.
Crime index
25% lower crime
Irving's crime index is 25% lower than Arlington
Arlington
132 (100 = avg)
Irving
Winner99 (100 = avg)
Irving's crime index is 99 versus 132 in Arlington (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 25% 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. 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 Irving are about even on typical weather.
Arlington
67°F avg · 74°F highs · comfort 100/100
Irving
73°F avg · 80°F highs · comfort 100/100
Arlington averages about 67°F (74°F highs); Irving averages about 73°F (80°F highs). Arlington sits near 67°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Irving sits near 73°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 9% 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
Irving is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 9% higher here ($81,830). Start with Irving if your next chapter is about building earnings, and make weather or nightlife a secondary screen.
Irving is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 25% lower than Arlington (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
Arlington carries the heavier crime signal on this page (52/100 safety vs 60/100 in Irving). That 8-point spread matters more than the $149 rent gap when you are choosing where to walk after dark.
Arlington rent at $1,470/month is still below Irving's $1,619, so cost-sensitive households should weigh the lease before the paycheck.
Typical rent stays $1,470 in Arlington and $1,619 in Irving.
Pick Irving when you want the stronger safety signal (60/100). Otherwise, Arlington's case rests on a Arlington ZIP you trust at $1,470 rent.
Common questions
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Next steps
Quotes and listings for Irving when you're ready to act.
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Arlington and Irving, plus other cities in TX.
