City comparison
No. Irving's crime index is 99 versus 142 in Raleigh, and its violent crime index is 78 versus 128, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Raleigh is cheaper. Median rent is $1,572 a month versus $1,619 in Irving.
Safety is where Raleigh and Irving split most clearly. Irving scores 43 points better on the crime index, a gap that shows up in evening walks, parking situations, and insurance rates. Rent runs $1,572 in Raleigh and $1,619 in Irving.
Neither city has a clear overall edge here. Raleigh is the easier city on typical rent, but Irving can still be the better daily fit depending on schools, safety, and climate. Both are defensible choices for different reasons.
The crime gap is citywide. Irving has rougher pockets and Raleigh has quiet ones: the index tells you the average, not your block.
The move
Raleigh and Irving are 1,063 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,572 a month in Raleigh to $1,619 a month in Irving, up $47 a month (3%).
Median household income goes from $85,395 in Raleigh to $81,830 in Irving, down $3,565 (4%).
The crime index goes from 142 in Raleigh to 99 in Irving, down 43 points (30%).
The move
Irving and Raleigh are 1,063 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,619 a month in Irving to $1,572 a month in Raleigh, down $47 a month (3%).
Median household income goes from $81,830 in Irving to $85,395 in Raleigh, up $3,565 (4%).
The crime index goes from 99 in Irving to 142 in Raleigh, up 43 points (43%).
Raleigh, NC
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 Raleigh and Irving? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
3% cheaper
Raleigh rent is 3% cheaper than Irving
Raleigh
Winner$1,572/mo
Irving
$1,619/mo
Typical rent runs $1,572 a month in Raleigh versus $1,619 in Irving, so Raleigh is 3% cheaper. The monthly spread is about $47, or $564 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 Raleigh? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
4% higher
Raleigh's median income is 4% higher than Irving
Raleigh
Winner$85,395
Irving
$81,830
Median household income is $85,395 in Raleigh versus $81,830 in Irving, so typical pay runs 4% higher in Raleigh (about $3,565 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
30% lower crime
Irving's crime index is 30% lower than Raleigh
Raleigh
142 (100 = avg)
Irving
Winner99 (100 = avg)
Irving's crime index is 99 versus 142 in Raleigh (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 30% 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. Raleigh can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
16% more comfortable
Irving weather is 16% more comfortable than Raleigh
Raleigh
60°F avg · 69°F highs · comfort 86/100
Irving
Winner70°F avg · 78°F highs · comfort 100/100
Raleigh averages about 60°F (69°F highs); Irving averages about 70°F (78°F highs). Raleigh averages around 60°F. Irving sits near 70°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Irving scores 16% 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 Raleigh 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 and professional growth
Raleigh is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 3% cheaper here at about $1,572 a month. Choose Raleigh if you are stretching a salary, starting over, or want slack for travel and debt instead of a flashier skyline.
Raleigh is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 4% higher here ($85,395). Start with Raleigh if your next chapter is about building earnings, and make weather or nightlife a secondary screen.
Fit check
Outdoor enthusiasts and people who need year-round access to nature for their wellbeing
Pick Irving if you are an outdoor enthusiast or you need year-round access to nature for your wellbeing. Typical conditions (70°F) beat Raleigh on this page's weather index by 16%. Raleigh may pay more or cost less, but Irving is the city where the forecast fights you less.
Irving is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 30% lower than Raleigh (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
Safety is the widest gap: Irving scores 60/100 versus 49/100 in Raleigh. Rent is $1,619/month in Irving and $1,572/month in Raleigh, so you are not buying calm streets for free.
Safety still diverges (60/100 in Irving vs 49/100 in Raleigh), so climate preference should not be the only filter.
Median income is $85,395 in Raleigh versus $81,830 in Irving.
Between Raleigh and Irving, Irving is ahead on safety — 60/100 safety versus 49/100. Lean Raleigh instead when you already know the Raleigh block you would live on and the safety gap is acceptable.
Common questions
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Next steps
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Raleigh and Irving, plus other cities in NC and TX.
