City comparison
No. Irving's crime index is 99 versus 270 in Houston, and its violent crime index is 78 versus 294, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Houston is cheaper. Median rent is $1,361 a month versus $1,619 in Irving.
Safety is where Houston and Irving split most clearly. Irving scores 171 points better on the crime index, a gap that shows up in evening walks, parking situations, and insurance rates. Rent runs $1,361 in Houston and $1,619 in Irving.
This is a genuine split. Houston 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 rent gap is real but neighborhoods matter. Houston at $1,361 average has pockets that run $1,161 and others at $1,761: your actual number depends on which part of the city you land in.
The move
Houston and Irving are 231 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,361 a month in Houston to $1,619 a month in Irving, up $258 a month (19%).
Median household income goes from $64,813 in Houston to $81,830 in Irving, up $17,017 (26%).
The crime index goes from 270 in Houston to 99 in Irving, down 171 points (63%).
The move
Irving and Houston are 231 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,619 a month in Irving to $1,361 a month in Houston, down $258 a month (16%).
Median household income goes from $81,830 in Irving to $64,813 in Houston, down $17,017 (21%).
The crime index goes from 99 in Irving to 270 in Houston, up 171 points (173%).
Houston, 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 Houston and Irving? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
16% cheaper
Houston rent is 16% cheaper than Irving
Houston
Winner$1,361/mo
Irving
$1,619/mo
Typical rent runs $1,361 a month in Houston versus $1,619 in Irving, so Houston is 16% cheaper. A meaningful but not dramatic gap. Factor it into your budget alongside salary differences between the two markets. Over a year the spread is about $3,096, enough to notice in savings, not enough to ignore schools, safety, or pay. Houston still wins on housing cost; just do not let a 10–20% rent edge override a job that only exists in Irving.
Planning to buy in Irving? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
26% higher
Irving's median income is 26% higher than Houston
Houston
$64,813
Irving
Winner$81,830
Median household income is $81,830 in Irving versus $64,813 in Houston, so typical pay runs 26% higher in Irving (about $17,017 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, Irving is the stronger labor market on paper. Houston can still win if housing is cheap enough to offset the weaker median or if your specific role already pays well there.
Crime index
63% lower crime
Irving's crime index is 63% lower than Houston
Houston
270 (100 = avg)
Irving
Winner99 (100 = avg)
Irving's crime index is 99 versus 270 in Houston (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 63% 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. Houston can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
Neck and neck
Houston and Irving are about even on typical weather.
Houston
70°F avg · 78°F highs · comfort 100/100
Irving
70°F avg · 78°F highs · comfort 100/100
Houston averages about 70°F (78°F highs); Irving averages about 70°F (78°F highs). Houston sits near 70°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
People with a job, family, or neighborhood already pulling them to Houston
Houston is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 16% cheaper here at about $1,361 a month. Choose Houston 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 26% 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 63% lower than Houston (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
Crime and safety tilt toward Irving: Irving scores 60/100 versus 30/100 in Houston, with typical rent at $1,619 versus $1,361. I would vet the exact ZIP in Houston before trading 30 safety points for housing savings.
Houston rent at $1,361/month is still below Irving's $1,619, so cost-sensitive households should weigh the lease before the paycheck.
Typical rent stays $1,361 in Houston and $1,619 in Irving.
If safety drives your move, Irving is the stronger match (60/100 safety versus 30/100). If an employer or family tie already points to Houston, treat $1,361/month rent and $64,813 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 Houston and Irving, plus other cities in TX.
