City comparison
Yes. Madison's crime index is 91 versus 99 in Irving, and its violent crime index is 68 versus 78, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Madison is cheaper. Median rent is $1,413 a month versus $1,619 in Irving.
Climate is the sharpest divide between Madison and Irving. Madison averages 52°F while Irving averages 70°F, a difference that affects utility bills, outdoor lifestyle, and how you feel nine months of the year. Rent runs $1,413 versus $1,619.
Neither city has a clear overall edge here. Madison costs less and Irving pays more: the right call depends on whether you are optimizing for take-home pay or monthly burn rate. Both are defensible choices for different reasons.
Weather is the one thing you cannot negotiate with. Visit Madison in its coldest stretch before you sign anything.
The move
Madison and Irving are 819 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,413 a month in Madison to $1,619 a month in Irving, up $206 a month (15%).
Median household income goes from $78,050 in Madison to $81,830 in Irving, up $3,780 (5%).
The crime index goes from 91 in Madison to 99 in Irving, up 8 points (9%).
The move
Irving and Madison are 819 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,619 a month in Irving to $1,413 a month in Madison, down $206 a month (13%).
Median household income goes from $81,830 in Irving to $78,050 in Madison, down $3,780 (5%).
The crime index goes from 99 in Irving to 91 in Madison, down 8 points (8%).
Madison, WI
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 Madison and Irving? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
13% cheaper
Madison rent is 13% cheaper than Irving
Madison
Winner$1,413/mo
Irving
$1,619/mo
Typical rent runs $1,413 a month in Madison versus $1,619 in Irving, so Madison is 13% 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 $2,472, enough to notice in savings, not enough to ignore schools, safety, or pay. Madison 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 Madison? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
5% higher
Irving's median income is 5% higher than Madison
Madison
$78,050
Irving
Winner$81,830
Median household income is $81,830 in Irving versus $78,050 in Madison, so typical pay runs 5% higher in Irving (about $3,780 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
8% lower crime
Madison's crime index is 8% lower than Irving
Madison
Winner91 (100 = avg)
Irving
99 (100 = avg)
Madison's crime index is 91 versus 99 in Irving (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 8% lower in Madison. The difference is noticeable without being night-and-day. You will still want to pick the neighborhood carefully in Madison, but you will usually spend less energy on constant vigilance than you would in Irving. Tour both cities after dark before you let a modest index gap close the decision.
Typical weather
56% more comfortable
Irving weather is 56% more comfortable than Madison
Madison
52°F avg · 62°F highs · comfort 64/100
Irving
Winner70°F avg · 78°F highs · comfort 100/100
Madison averages about 52°F (62°F highs); Irving averages about 70°F (78°F highs). Madison averages around 52°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Irving sits near 70°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Irving scores 56% 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 Madison if you already prefer its hotter or cooler pattern and have budgeted for the AC or heating that comes with it.
Fit check
Families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy
Madison is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 13% cheaper here at about $1,413 a month. Choose Madison if you are stretching a salary, starting over, or want slack for travel and debt instead of a flashier skyline.
Madison is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 8% lower than Irving (91 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
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 5% 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.
Bottom line
Weather separates these metros: $1,619/month rent in Irving at 70°F versus $1,413 in Madison at 52°F. Income runs $81,830 vs $78,050, but the daily feel of the move is the temperature gap.
Irving still pays more locally ($81,830 median income vs $78,050), which can offset the lease if your field pays Irving rates.
Safety scores read 63/100 in Madison and 60/100 in Irving.
Irving wins on climate (70°F vs 52°F); Madison is the better fit if $1,413 rent and $78,050 pay matter more than daily weather.
Common questions
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Next steps
Quotes and listings for Madison when you're ready to act.
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Madison and Irving, plus other cities in WI and TX.
