City comparison
No. Irving's crime index is 99 versus 174 in Phoenix, and its violent crime index is 78 versus 216, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Phoenix is cheaper. Median rent is $1,582 a month versus $1,619 in Irving.
Safety is where Phoenix and Irving split most clearly. Irving scores 75 points better on the crime index, a gap that shows up in evening walks, parking situations, and insurance rates. Rent runs $1,582 in Phoenix and $1,619 in Irving.
This is a genuine split. Phoenix wins on cost of living and Irving wins on the job market and safety. Which matters more depends entirely on how you live: remote workers and families weight these categories differently than commuters or single professionals.
The crime gap is citywide. Irving has rougher pockets and Phoenix has quiet ones: the index tells you the average, not your block.
The move
Phoenix and Irving are 875 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,582 a month in Phoenix to $1,619 a month in Irving, up $37 a month (2%).
Median household income goes from $81,332 in Phoenix to $81,830 in Irving, up $498 (1%).
The crime index goes from 174 in Phoenix to 99 in Irving, down 75 points (43%).
The move
Irving and Phoenix are 875 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,619 a month in Irving to $1,582 a month in Phoenix, down $37 a month (2%).
Median household income goes from $81,830 in Irving to $81,332 in Phoenix, down $498 (1%).
The crime index goes from 99 in Irving to 174 in Phoenix, up 75 points (76%).
Phoenix, 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 Phoenix and Irving? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
2% cheaper
Phoenix rent is 2% cheaper than Irving
Phoenix
Winner$1,582/mo
Irving
$1,619/mo
Typical rent runs $1,582 a month in Phoenix versus $1,619 in Irving, so Phoenix is 2% cheaper. The monthly spread is about $37, or $444 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
Irving's median income is 1% higher than Phoenix
Phoenix
$81,332
Irving
Winner$81,830
Median household income is $81,830 in Irving versus $81,332 in Phoenix, so typical pay runs 1% higher in Irving (about $498 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
43% lower crime
Irving's crime index is 43% lower than Phoenix
Phoenix
174 (100 = avg)
Irving
Winner99 (100 = avg)
Irving's crime index is 99 versus 174 in Phoenix (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 43% 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. Phoenix can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
Neck and neck
Phoenix and Irving are about even on typical weather.
Phoenix
76°F avg · 81°F highs · comfort 100/100
Irving
70°F avg · 78°F highs · comfort 100/100
Phoenix averages about 76°F (81°F highs); Irving averages about 70°F (78°F highs). Phoenix 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
People with a job, family, or neighborhood already pulling them to Phoenix
Phoenix is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 2% cheaper here at about $1,582 a month. Choose Phoenix if you are stretching a salary, starting over, or want slack for travel and debt instead of a flashier skyline.
Fit check
Career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth
Irving is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 1% higher here ($81,830). Start with Irving if your next chapter is about building earnings, and make weather or nightlife a secondary screen.
Irving is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 43% lower than Phoenix (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
Crime and safety tilt toward Irving: Irving scores 60/100 versus 43/100 in Phoenix, with typical rent at $1,619 versus $1,582. I would vet the exact ZIP in Phoenix before trading 17 safety points for housing savings.
With only $37 separating typical rent, run both offer letters before housing cost alone picks the city.
Median income is $81,830 in Irving versus $81,332 in Phoenix.
Pick Irving when you want the stronger safety signal (60/100). Otherwise, Phoenix's case rests on a Phoenix ZIP you trust at $1,582 rent.
Common questions
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Next steps
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Phoenix and Irving, plus other cities in AZ and TX.
