City comparison
No. Irving's crime index is 99 versus 108 in Mesa, and its violent crime index is 78 versus 131, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Irving is cheaper. Median rent is $1,619 a month versus $1,620 in Mesa.
Mesa and Irving are closer on paper than many city pairs, so the move comes down to how you weight cost, safety, and climate. Typical rent sits near $1,620 in Mesa and $1,619 in Irving, and median household income lands at $82,752 versus $81,830. Use the category rows below to see which gaps would change your daily life.
This is a genuine split. Mesa wins on the job market and Irving wins on cost of living and safety. Which matters more depends entirely on how you live: remote workers and families weight these categories differently than commuters or single professionals.
Visit both if you can. Cities reveal themselves in the ordinary moments, a Tuesday morning commute, a Saturday errand run, not on a weekend visit.
The move
Mesa and Irving are 861 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,620 a month in Mesa to $1,619 a month in Irving, down $1 a month (under 1%).
Median household income goes from $82,752 in Mesa to $81,830 in Irving, down $922 (1%).
The crime index goes from 108 in Mesa to 99 in Irving, down 9 points (8%).
The move
Irving and Mesa are 861 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,619 a month in Irving to $1,620 a month in Mesa, up $1 a month (under 1%).
Median household income goes from $81,830 in Irving to $82,752 in Mesa, up $922 (1%).
The crime index goes from 99 in Irving to 108 in Mesa, up 9 points (9%).
Mesa, AZ
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 Mesa and Irving? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
1% cheaper
Irving rent is 1% cheaper than Mesa
Mesa
$1,620/mo
Irving
Winner$1,619/mo
Typical rent runs $1,619 a month in Irving versus $1,620 in Mesa, so Irving is 1% cheaper. The monthly spread is about $1, or $12 a year: noticeable, but rent alone should not pick the city. Use this as a tie-breaker after you compare income, schools, and crime, unless you are already stretching every dollar.
Planning to buy in Irving? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
1% higher
Mesa's median income is 1% higher than Irving
Mesa
Winner$82,752
Irving
$81,830
Median household income is $82,752 in Mesa versus $81,830 in Irving, so typical pay runs 1% higher in Mesa (about $922 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
Irving's crime index is 8% lower than Mesa
Mesa
108 (100 = avg)
Irving
Winner99 (100 = avg)
Irving's crime index is 99 versus 108 in Mesa (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 8% lower in Irving. The difference is noticeable without being night-and-day. You will still want to pick the neighborhood carefully in Irving, but you will usually spend less energy on constant vigilance than you would in Mesa. Tour both cities after dark before you let a modest index gap close the decision.
Typical weather
Neck and neck
Mesa and Irving are about even on typical weather.
Mesa
79°F avg · 87°F highs · comfort 100/100
Irving
70°F avg · 78°F highs · comfort 100/100
Mesa averages about 79°F (87°F highs); Irving averages about 70°F (78°F highs). Mesa sits near 79°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
Mesa is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 1% higher here ($82,752). Start with Mesa if your next chapter is about building earnings, and make weather or nightlife a secondary screen.
Fit check
Families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy
Irving is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 1% 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.
Irving 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 Mesa (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
Neither city is a free pass on neighborhood choice, but Irving leads on safety (60/100 vs 58/100 in Mesa). With rent tied near $1,619/month, do not assume either lease buys the calmer blocks.
Median income is $82,752 in Mesa versus $81,830 in Irving — with rent matched, the paycheck gap matters more.
Most movers who prioritize safety land in Irving; Mesa only makes sense when you have walked the Mesa ZIP you would rent and accept the trade for $1,620 rent.
Common questions
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Next steps
Quotes and listings for Irving when you're ready to act.
Keep researching
Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Mesa and Irving, plus other cities in AZ and TX.
