City comparison
Yes. Irvine's crime index is 51 versus 99 in Irving, and its violent crime index is 24 versus 78, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Irving is cheaper. Median rent is $1,619 a month versus $2,997 in Irvine.
The income gap between Irvine and Irving is significant: $136,719 median household versus $81,830. That spread matters more if you are job hunting locally than if you are remote. Typical rent is $2,997 in Irvine and $1,619 in Irving.
This is a genuine split. Irvine wins on the job market and safety and Irving wins on cost of living. 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. Irving at $1,619 average has pockets that run $1,419 and others at $2,019: your actual number depends on which part of the city you land in.
The move
Irvine and Irving are 1,206 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $2,997 a month in Irvine to $1,619 a month in Irving, down $1,378 a month (46%).
Median household income goes from $136,719 in Irvine to $81,830 in Irving, down $54,889 (40%).
The crime index goes from 51 in Irvine to 99 in Irving, up 48 points (94%).
The move
Irving and Irvine are 1,206 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,619 a month in Irving to $2,997 a month in Irvine, up $1,378 a month (85%).
Median household income goes from $81,830 in Irving to $136,719 in Irvine, up $54,889 (67%).
The crime index goes from 99 in Irving to 51 in Irvine, down 48 points (48%).
Irvine, CA
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 Irvine and Irving? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
46% cheaper
Irving rent is 46% cheaper than Irvine
Irvine
$2,997/mo
Irving
Winner$1,619/mo
Typical rent runs $1,619 a month in Irving versus $2,997 in Irvine, so Irving is 46% cheaper. That's roughly $1,378/month back in your pocket ($16,536/year). Over five years that's $82,680 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, Irving 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
67% higher
Irvine's median income is 67% higher than Irving
Irvine
Winner$136,719
Irving
$81,830
Median household income is $136,719 in Irvine versus $81,830 in Irving, so typical pay runs 67% higher in Irvine (about $54,889 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. Irving can still win if housing is cheap enough to offset the weaker median or if your specific role already pays well there.
Crime index
48% lower crime
Irvine's crime index is 48% lower than Irving
Irvine
Winner51 (100 = avg)
Irving
99 (100 = avg)
Irvine's crime index is 51 versus 99 in Irving (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 48% 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. Irving 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 Irving are about even on typical weather.
Irvine
76°F avg · 83°F highs · comfort 100/100
Irving
70°F avg · 78°F highs · comfort 100/100
Irvine averages about 76°F (83°F highs); Irving averages about 70°F (78°F highs). Irvine sits near 76°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
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 67% 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 48% lower than Irving (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.
Fit check
People with a job, family, or neighborhood already pulling them to Irving
Irving is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 46% cheaper here at about $1,619 a month. Choose Irving if you are stretching a salary, starting over, or want slack for travel and debt instead of a flashier skyline.
Bottom line
On rent alone, Irving undercuts Irvine by $1,378/month ($1,619 vs $2,997). I would not pick Irvine on housing cost without a job that clears that spread.
Irving rent at $1,619/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 $81,830 in Irving.
Irving is the default on housing cost at $1,619/month versus $2,997 in Irvine; Irvine stays in play when $136,719 local pay or an existing job offer outweighs the $1,378 lease gap.
Common questions
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Next steps
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Irvine and Irving, plus other cities in CA and TX.
