City comparison
No. Irving's crime index is 99 versus 183 in San Francisco, and its violent crime index is 78 versus 156, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Irving is cheaper. Median rent is $1,619 a month versus $2,476 in San Francisco.
The income gap between San Francisco and Irving is significant: $140,970 median household versus $81,830. That spread matters more if you are job hunting locally than if you are remote. Typical rent is $2,476 in San Francisco and $1,619 in Irving.
This is a genuine split. San Francisco 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 Francisco and Irving are 1,472 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $2,476 a month in San Francisco to $1,619 a month in Irving, down $857 a month (35%).
Median household income goes from $140,970 in San Francisco to $81,830 in Irving, down $59,140 (42%).
The crime index goes from 183 in San Francisco to 99 in Irving, down 84 points (46%).
The move
Irving and San Francisco are 1,472 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,619 a month in Irving to $2,476 a month in San Francisco, up $857 a month (53%).
Median household income goes from $81,830 in Irving to $140,970 in San Francisco, up $59,140 (72%).
The crime index goes from 99 in Irving to 183 in San Francisco, up 84 points (85%).
San Francisco, 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 Francisco and Irving? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
35% cheaper
Irving rent is 35% cheaper than San Francisco
San Francisco
$2,476/mo
Irving
Winner$1,619/mo
Typical rent runs $1,619 a month in Irving versus $2,476 in San Francisco, so Irving is 35% cheaper. That's roughly $857/month back in your pocket ($10,284/year). Over five years that's $51,420 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 Francisco, 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
72% higher
San Francisco's median income is 72% higher than Irving
San Francisco
Winner$140,970
Irving
$81,830
Median household income is $140,970 in San Francisco versus $81,830 in Irving, so typical pay runs 72% higher in San Francisco (about $59,140 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 Francisco 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
46% lower crime
Irving's crime index is 46% lower than San Francisco
San Francisco
183 (100 = avg)
Irving
Winner99 (100 = avg)
Irving's crime index is 99 versus 183 in San Francisco (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 46% 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. San Francisco can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
Neck and neck
San Francisco and Irving are about even on typical weather.
San Francisco
65°F avg · 73°F highs · comfort 100/100
Irving
70°F avg · 78°F highs · comfort 100/100
San Francisco averages about 65°F (73°F highs); Irving averages about 70°F (78°F highs). San Francisco sits near 65°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 Francisco is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 72% higher here ($140,970). Start with San Francisco 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 35% 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 46% lower than San Francisco (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
Irving is cheaper on rent ($1,619/month vs $2,476), but San Francisco's $140,970 median income beats Irving's $81,830 by 42%. Remote workers paid on San Francisco scales can make that trade; local-market earners often cannot.
San Francisco still pays more locally ($140,970 median income vs $81,830), which can offset the lease if your field pays San Francisco rates.
Safety scores read 42/100 in San Francisco and 60/100 in Irving.
Most movers who prioritize local pay land in San Francisco; Irving only makes sense when $1,619/month housing savings outweigh $140,970 median pay in your field.
Common questions
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Next steps
Quotes and listings for Irving when you're ready to act.
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for San Francisco and Irving, plus other cities in CA and TX.
