City comparison
No. Irving's crime index is 99 versus 106 in San Diego, and its violent crime index is 78 versus 114, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Irving is cheaper. Median rent is $1,619 a month versus $2,313 in San Diego.
The income gap between San Diego and Irving is significant: $108,077 median household versus $81,830. That spread matters more if you are job hunting locally than if you are remote. Typical rent is $2,313 in San Diego and $1,619 in Irving.
This is a genuine split. San Diego 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 rent gap is real but neighborhoods matter. Irving at $1,619 average has pockets that run $1,419 and others at $2,019: your actual number depends on which part of the city you land in.
The move
San Diego and Irving are 1,173 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $2,313 a month in San Diego to $1,619 a month in Irving, down $694 a month (30%).
Median household income goes from $108,077 in San Diego to $81,830 in Irving, down $26,247 (24%).
The crime index goes from 106 in San Diego to 99 in Irving, down 7 points (7%).
The move
Irving and San Diego are 1,173 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,619 a month in Irving to $2,313 a month in San Diego, up $694 a month (43%).
Median household income goes from $81,830 in Irving to $108,077 in San Diego, up $26,247 (32%).
The crime index goes from 99 in Irving to 106 in San Diego, up 7 points (7%).
San Diego, 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 San Diego and Irving? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
30% cheaper
Irving rent is 30% cheaper than San Diego
San Diego
$2,313/mo
Irving
Winner$1,619/mo
Typical rent runs $1,619 a month in Irving versus $2,313 in San Diego, so Irving is 30% cheaper. That's roughly $694/month back in your pocket ($8,328/year). Over five years that's $41,640 you could redirect toward a down payment, travel, or investments. Housing is the bill you pay before groceries, childcare, or a social life, so that gap shows up in how often you eat out and how panicked a rent hike feels. If you already have a high-paying offer in San Diego, the extra rent can be rational. If you do not, Irving is the easier city to land in without blowing up your budget.
Planning to buy in Irving? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
32% higher
San Diego's median income is 32% higher than Irving
San Diego
Winner$108,077
Irving
$81,830
Median household income is $108,077 in San Diego versus $81,830 in Irving, so typical pay runs 32% higher in San Diego (about $26,247 more household income a year). Higher median income usually signals a stronger local job market and better negotiating leverage on salary. Remote workers should weigh this against cost of living rather than treating it as a direct personal benefit. For people who will actually work in town, San Diego is the stronger labor market on paper. Irving can still win if housing is cheap enough to offset the weaker median or if your specific role already pays well there.
Crime index
7% lower crime
Irving's crime index is 7% lower than San Diego
San Diego
106 (100 = avg)
Irving
Winner99 (100 = avg)
Irving's crime index is 99 versus 106 in San Diego (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 7% 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 San Diego. Tour both cities after dark before you let a modest index gap close the decision.
Typical weather
Neck and neck
San Diego and Irving are about even on typical weather.
San Diego
74°F avg · 78°F highs · comfort 100/100
Irving
70°F avg · 78°F highs · comfort 100/100
San Diego averages about 74°F (78°F highs); Irving averages about 70°F (78°F highs). San Diego sits near 74°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
San Diego is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 32% higher here ($108,077). Start with San Diego 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 30% 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 7% lower than San Diego (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
San Diego runs $2,313/month while Irving sits at $1,619 — roughly 30% lower on typical leases. Unless your offer letter is San Diego-sized, that monthly gap compounds fast.
Irving rent at $1,619/month is still below San Diego's $2,313, so cost-sensitive households should weigh the lease before the paycheck.
Safety scores read 58/100 in San Diego and 60/100 in Irving.
Irving is the default on housing cost at $1,619/month versus $2,313 in San Diego; San Diego stays in play when $108,077 local pay or an existing job offer outweighs the $694 lease gap.
Common questions
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Next steps
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for San Diego and Irving, plus other cities in CA and TX.
