City comparison
No. Irving's crime index is 99 versus 216 in Indianapolis, and its violent crime index is 78 versus 246, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Indianapolis is cheaper. Median rent is $1,156 a month versus $1,619 in Irving.
Safety is where Indianapolis and Irving split most clearly. Irving scores 117 points better on the crime index, a gap that shows up in evening walks, parking situations, and insurance rates. Rent runs $1,156 in Indianapolis and $1,619 in Irving.
Irving is not a close call here. It leads on the job market, safety, and weather by margins that add up in daily life. Indianapolis makes sense if you have a specific reason, a job offer, family, or a neighborhood you already know, but on the numbers alone Irving is the stronger move.
The rent gap is real but neighborhoods matter. Indianapolis at $1,156 average has pockets that run $956 and others at $1,556: your actual number depends on which part of the city you land in.
The move
Indianapolis and Irving are 768 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,156 a month in Indianapolis to $1,619 a month in Irving, up $463 a month (40%).
Median household income goes from $66,219 in Indianapolis to $81,830 in Irving, up $15,611 (24%).
The crime index goes from 216 in Indianapolis to 99 in Irving, down 117 points (54%).
The move
Irving and Indianapolis are 768 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,619 a month in Irving to $1,156 a month in Indianapolis, down $463 a month (29%).
Median household income goes from $81,830 in Irving to $66,219 in Indianapolis, down $15,611 (19%).
The crime index goes from 99 in Irving to 216 in Indianapolis, up 117 points (118%).
Indianapolis, IN
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 Indianapolis and Irving? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
29% cheaper
Indianapolis rent is 29% cheaper than Irving
Indianapolis
Winner$1,156/mo
Irving
$1,619/mo
Typical rent runs $1,156 a month in Indianapolis versus $1,619 in Irving, so Indianapolis is 29% cheaper. That's roughly $463/month back in your pocket ($5,556/year). Over five years that's $27,780 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 Irving, the extra rent can be rational. If you do not, Indianapolis 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
24% higher
Irving's median income is 24% higher than Indianapolis
Indianapolis
$66,219
Irving
Winner$81,830
Median household income is $81,830 in Irving versus $66,219 in Indianapolis, so typical pay runs 24% higher in Irving (about $15,611 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. Indianapolis can still win if housing is cheap enough to offset the weaker median or if your specific role already pays well there.
Crime index
54% lower crime
Irving's crime index is 54% lower than Indianapolis
Indianapolis
216 (100 = avg)
Irving
Winner99 (100 = avg)
Irving's crime index is 99 versus 216 in Indianapolis (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 54% 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. Indianapolis can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
45% more comfortable
Irving weather is 45% more comfortable than Indianapolis
Indianapolis
54°F avg · 62°F highs · comfort 69/100
Irving
Winner67°F avg · 74°F highs · comfort 100/100
Indianapolis averages about 54°F (62°F highs); Irving averages about 67°F (74°F highs). Indianapolis averages around 54°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Irving sits near 67°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Irving scores 45% closer to the 65-80°F comfort band on this page, so it is the easier default for year-round outdoor errands and evenings. Choose Indianapolis if you already prefer its hotter or cooler pattern and have budgeted for the AC or heating that comes with it.
Fit check
People with a job, family, or neighborhood already pulling them to Indianapolis
Indianapolis is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 29% cheaper here at about $1,156 a month. Choose Indianapolis 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 plus year-round outdoor access
It is also a match for career-focused movers who want salary upside and year-round outdoor access. Median household income runs 24% higher ($81,830), and typical weather is the more comfortable of the two (around 67°F). That pairing is for people who will work hard and then actually use the evenings.
Irving is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 54% lower than Indianapolis (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 37/100 in Indianapolis, with typical rent at $1,619 versus $1,156. I would vet the exact ZIP in Indianapolis before trading 23 safety points for housing savings.
Irving still pays more locally ($81,830 median income vs $66,219), which can offset the lease if your field pays Irving rates.
Weather averages land near 54°F in Indianapolis and 67°F in Irving.
If safety drives your move, Irving is the stronger match (60/100 safety versus 37/100). If an employer or family tie already points to Indianapolis, treat $1,156/month rent and $66,219 income as the numbers that actually govern the decision.
Common questions
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Nearby research
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