City comparison
Yes. Irving's crime index is 99 versus 134 in Huntsville, and its violent crime index is 78 versus 127, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Huntsville is cheaper. Median rent is $1,171 a month versus $1,619 in Irving.
The cost gap between Irving and Huntsville is the real story here. Huntsville comes in 28% cheaper on typical rent ($1,619 vs $1,171), which over a year adds up to $5,376. Median household income runs $81,830 in Irving and $74,714 in Huntsville.
Irving is not a close call here. It leads on the job market, safety, and weather by margins that add up in daily life. Huntsville 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. Huntsville at $1,171 average has pockets that run $971 and others at $1,571: your actual number depends on which part of the city you land in.
The move
Irving and Huntsville are 609 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,619 a month in Irving to $1,171 a month in Huntsville, down $448 a month (28%).
Median household income goes from $81,830 in Irving to $74,714 in Huntsville, down $7,116 (9%).
The crime index goes from 99 in Irving to 134 in Huntsville, up 35 points (35%).
The move
Huntsville and Irving are 609 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,171 a month in Huntsville to $1,619 a month in Irving, up $448 a month (38%).
Median household income goes from $74,714 in Huntsville to $81,830 in Irving, up $7,116 (10%).
The crime index goes from 134 in Huntsville to 99 in Irving, down 35 points (26%).
Irving, TX
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Huntsville, AL
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing Irving and Huntsville? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
28% cheaper
Huntsville rent is 28% cheaper than Irving
Irving
$1,619/mo
Huntsville
Winner$1,171/mo
Typical rent runs $1,171 a month in Huntsville versus $1,619 in Irving, so Huntsville is 28% cheaper. That's roughly $448/month back in your pocket ($5,376/year). Over five years that's $26,880 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, Huntsville 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
10% higher
Irving's median income is 10% higher than Huntsville
Irving
Winner$81,830
Huntsville
$74,714
Median household income is $81,830 in Irving versus $74,714 in Huntsville, so typical pay runs 10% higher in Irving (about $7,116 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
26% lower crime
Irving's crime index is 26% lower than Huntsville
Irving
Winner99 (100 = avg)
Huntsville
134 (100 = avg)
Irving's crime index is 99 versus 134 in Huntsville (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 26% 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. Huntsville can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
6% more comfortable
Irving weather is 6% more comfortable than Huntsville
Irving
Winner70°F avg · 78°F highs · comfort 100/100
Huntsville
63°F avg · 74°F highs · comfort 94/100
Irving averages about 70°F (78°F highs); Huntsville averages about 63°F (74°F highs). Irving sits near 70°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Huntsville averages around 63°F. Irving scores 6% 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 Huntsville if you already prefer its hotter or cooler pattern and have budgeted for the AC or heating that comes with it.
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 10% higher ($81,830), and typical weather is the more comfortable of the two (around 70°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 26% lower than Huntsville (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.
Fit check
People with a job, family, or neighborhood already pulling them to Huntsville
Huntsville is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 28% cheaper here at about $1,171 a month. Choose Huntsville if you are stretching a salary, starting over, or want slack for travel and debt instead of a flashier skyline.
Bottom line
Irving runs $1,619/month while Huntsville sits at $1,171 — roughly 28% lower on typical leases. Unless your offer letter is Irving-sized, that monthly gap compounds fast.
Huntsville rent at $1,171/month is still below Irving's $1,619, so cost-sensitive households should weigh the lease before the paycheck.
Median income is $81,830 in Irving versus $74,714 in Huntsville.
Between Irving and Huntsville, Huntsville is ahead on housing cost — $1,171/month rent against $1,619. Lean Irving instead when your $81,830 income offer in Irving outweighs saving $448/month in Huntsville.
Common questions
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