City comparison
No. Irving's crime index is 99 versus 181 in Sacramento, and its violent crime index is 78 versus 213, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Irving is cheaper. Median rent is $1,619 a month versus $1,779 in Sacramento.
Safety is where Sacramento and Irving split most clearly. Irving scores 82 points better on the crime index, a gap that shows up in evening walks, parking situations, and insurance rates. Rent runs $1,779 in Sacramento and $1,619 in Irving.
This is a genuine split. Sacramento 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.
The crime gap is citywide. Irving has rougher pockets and Sacramento has quiet ones: the index tells you the average, not your block.
The move
Sacramento and Irving are 1,429 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,779 a month in Sacramento to $1,619 a month in Irving, down $160 a month (9%).
Median household income goes from $87,321 in Sacramento to $81,830 in Irving, down $5,491 (6%).
The crime index goes from 181 in Sacramento to 99 in Irving, down 82 points (45%).
The move
Irving and Sacramento are 1,429 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,619 a month in Irving to $1,779 a month in Sacramento, up $160 a month (10%).
Median household income goes from $81,830 in Irving to $87,321 in Sacramento, up $5,491 (7%).
The crime index goes from 99 in Irving to 181 in Sacramento, up 82 points (83%).
Sacramento, CA
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 Sacramento and Irving? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
9% cheaper
Irving rent is 9% cheaper than Sacramento
Sacramento
$1,779/mo
Irving
Winner$1,619/mo
Typical rent runs $1,619 a month in Irving versus $1,779 in Sacramento, so Irving is 9% cheaper. The monthly spread is about $160, or $1,920 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
7% higher
Sacramento's median income is 7% higher than Irving
Sacramento
Winner$87,321
Irving
$81,830
Median household income is $87,321 in Sacramento versus $81,830 in Irving, so typical pay runs 7% higher in Sacramento (about $5,491 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
45% lower crime
Irving's crime index is 45% lower than Sacramento
Sacramento
181 (100 = avg)
Irving
Winner99 (100 = avg)
Irving's crime index is 99 versus 181 in Sacramento (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 45% 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. Sacramento can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
Neck and neck
Sacramento and Irving are about even on typical weather.
Sacramento
66°F avg · 77°F highs · comfort 100/100
Irving
67°F avg · 74°F highs · comfort 100/100
Sacramento averages about 66°F (77°F highs); Irving averages about 67°F (74°F highs). Sacramento sits near 66°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Irving sits near 67°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
Sacramento is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 7% higher here ($87,321). Start with Sacramento 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 9% 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 45% lower than Sacramento (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 42/100 in Sacramento. Rent is $1,619/month in Irving and $1,779/month in Sacramento, so you are not buying calm streets for free.
Irving rent at $1,619/month is still below Sacramento's $1,779, so cost-sensitive households should weigh the lease before the paycheck.
Typical rent stays $1,619 in Irving and $1,779 in Sacramento.
Between Sacramento and Irving, Irving is ahead on safety — 60/100 safety versus 42/100. Lean Sacramento instead when you already know the Sacramento 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 Sacramento and Irving, plus other cities in CA and TX.
