City comparison
No. Frisco's crime index is 43 versus 51 in Irvine, and its violent crime index is 31 versus 24, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Frisco is cheaper. Median rent is $2,014 a month versus $2,997 in Irvine.
The cost gap between Irvine and Frisco is the real story here. Frisco comes in 33% cheaper on typical rent ($2,997 vs $2,014), which over a year adds up to $11,796. Median household income runs $136,719 in Irvine and $150,212 in Frisco.
Frisco is not a close call here. It leads on cost of living, the job market, and safety by margins that add up in daily life. Irvine makes sense if you have a specific reason, a job offer, family, or a neighborhood you already know, but on the numbers alone Frisco is the stronger move.
The rent gap is real but neighborhoods matter. Frisco at $2,014 average has pockets that run $1,814 and others at $2,414: your actual number depends on which part of the city you land in.
The move
Irvine and Frisco are 1,210 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $2,997 a month in Irvine to $2,014 a month in Frisco, down $983 a month (33%).
Median household income goes from $136,719 in Irvine to $150,212 in Frisco, up $13,493 (10%).
The crime index goes from 51 in Irvine to 43 in Frisco, down 8 points (16%).
The move
Frisco and Irvine are 1,210 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $2,014 a month in Frisco to $2,997 a month in Irvine, up $983 a month (49%).
Median household income goes from $150,212 in Frisco to $136,719 in Irvine, down $13,493 (9%).
The crime index goes from 43 in Frisco to 51 in Irvine, up 8 points (19%).
Irvine, CA
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Frisco, TX
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing Irvine and Frisco? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
33% cheaper
Frisco rent is 33% cheaper than Irvine
Irvine
$2,997/mo
Frisco
Winner$2,014/mo
Typical rent runs $2,014 a month in Frisco versus $2,997 in Irvine, so Frisco is 33% cheaper. That's roughly $983/month back in your pocket ($11,796/year). Over five years that's $58,980 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, Frisco is the easier city to land in without blowing up your budget.
Planning to buy in Frisco? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
10% higher
Frisco's median income is 10% higher than Irvine
Irvine
$136,719
Frisco
Winner$150,212
Median household income is $150,212 in Frisco versus $136,719 in Irvine, so typical pay runs 10% higher in Frisco (about $13,493 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
16% lower crime
Frisco's crime index is 16% lower than Irvine
Irvine
51 (100 = avg)
Frisco
Winner43 (100 = avg)
Frisco's crime index is 43 versus 51 in Irvine (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 16% lower in Frisco. 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, Frisco is the easier city. Irvine can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
Neck and neck
Irvine and Frisco are about even on typical weather.
Irvine
76°F avg · 83°F highs · comfort 100/100
Frisco
68°F avg · 76°F highs · comfort 100/100
Irvine averages about 76°F (83°F highs); Frisco averages about 68°F (76°F highs). Irvine sits near 76°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Frisco sits near 68°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 Irvine
On these five categories Frisco takes the scoreboard, so you should not choose Irvine because the stats are kinder. They are not. Choose Irvine only if a job offer, family, a specific neighborhood, or a life you already started there outweighs the box score. Plenty of good moves ignore the aggregate; just do it on purpose.
Fit check
Career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth
Frisco is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 33% cheaper here at about $2,014 a month. Choose Frisco if you are stretching a salary, starting over, or want slack for travel and debt instead of a flashier skyline.
Frisco is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 10% higher here ($150,212). Start with Frisco if your next chapter is about building earnings, and make weather or nightlife a secondary screen.
Frisco is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 16% lower than Irvine (43 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
Rent is the clearest fork: Frisco at $2,014/month versus $2,997 in Irvine ($983 apart). Irvine median income is $136,719 against $150,212 in Frisco, so the cheaper lease does not always pair with the stronger local wage base.
Median income is $150,212 in Frisco versus $136,719 in Irvine.
Pick Frisco when shaving $983 off rent at $2,014/month is the priority. Otherwise, Irvine's case rests on $2,997/month rent with $136,719 local income.
Safety scores read 80/100 in Irvine and 86/100 in Frisco.
Common questions
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Next steps
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Nearby research
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