City comparison
No. Irving's crime index is 99 versus 107 in Santa Ana, and its violent crime index is 78 versus 121, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Irving is cheaper. Median rent is $1,619 a month versus $2,082 in Santa Ana.
The cost gap between Santa Ana and Irving is the real story here. Irving comes in 22% cheaper on typical rent ($2,082 vs $1,619), which over a year adds up to $5,556. Median household income runs $93,999 in Santa Ana and $81,830 in Irving.
This is a genuine split. Santa Ana 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
Santa Ana and Irving are 1,208 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $2,082 a month in Santa Ana to $1,619 a month in Irving, down $463 a month (22%).
Median household income goes from $93,999 in Santa Ana to $81,830 in Irving, down $12,169 (13%).
The crime index goes from 107 in Santa Ana to 99 in Irving, down 8 points (7%).
The move
Irving and Santa Ana are 1,208 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,619 a month in Irving to $2,082 a month in Santa Ana, up $463 a month (29%).
Median household income goes from $81,830 in Irving to $93,999 in Santa Ana, up $12,169 (15%).
The crime index goes from 99 in Irving to 107 in Santa Ana, up 8 points (8%).
Santa Ana, 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 Santa Ana and Irving? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
22% cheaper
Irving rent is 22% cheaper than Santa Ana
Santa Ana
$2,082/mo
Irving
Winner$1,619/mo
Typical rent runs $1,619 a month in Irving versus $2,082 in Santa Ana, so Irving is 22% cheaper. That's roughly $463/month back in your pocket ($5,556/year). Over five years that's $27,780 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 Santa Ana, 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
15% higher
Santa Ana's median income is 15% higher than Irving
Santa Ana
Winner$93,999
Irving
$81,830
Median household income is $93,999 in Santa Ana versus $81,830 in Irving, so typical pay runs 15% higher in Santa Ana (about $12,169 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, Santa Ana 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 Santa Ana
Santa Ana
107 (100 = avg)
Irving
Winner99 (100 = avg)
Irving's crime index is 99 versus 107 in Santa Ana (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 Santa Ana. Tour both cities after dark before you let a modest index gap close the decision.
Typical weather
Neck and neck
Santa Ana and Irving are about even on typical weather.
Santa Ana
77°F avg · 83°F highs · comfort 100/100
Irving
70°F avg · 78°F highs · comfort 100/100
Santa Ana averages about 77°F (83°F highs); Irving averages about 70°F (78°F highs). Santa Ana sits near 77°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
Santa Ana is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 15% higher here ($93,999). Start with Santa Ana 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 22% 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 Santa Ana (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
Housing separates these metros first: $1,619/month in Irving versus $2,082 in Santa Ana. Median income reads $81,830 in Irving and $93,999 in Santa Ana, which matters when you stack rent against take-home pay.
Irving rent at $1,619/month is still below Santa Ana's $2,082, so cost-sensitive households should weigh the lease before the paycheck.
Safety scores read 58/100 in Santa Ana and 60/100 in Irving.
If housing cost drives your move, Irving is the stronger match ($1,619/month rent against $2,082). If an employer or family tie already points to Santa Ana, treat $2,082/month rent and $93,999 income as the numbers that actually govern the decision.
Common questions
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Next steps
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Santa Ana and Irving, plus other cities in CA and TX.
