City comparison
Yes. Tampa's crime index is 93 versus 99 in Irving, and its violent crime index is 112 versus 78, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Irving is cheaper. Median rent is $1,619 a month versus $1,701 in Tampa.
Tampa and Irving are closer on paper than many city pairs, so the move comes down to how you weight cost, safety, and climate. Typical rent sits near $1,701 in Tampa and $1,619 in Irving, and median household income lands at $75,475 versus $81,830. Use the category rows below to see which gaps would change your daily life.
This is a genuine split. Tampa wins on safety and Irving wins on cost of living and the job market. Which matters more depends entirely on how you live: remote workers and families weight these categories differently than commuters or single professionals.
Visit both if you can. Cities reveal themselves in the ordinary moments, a Tuesday morning commute, a Saturday errand run, not on a weekend visit.
The move
Tampa and Irving are 926 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,701 a month in Tampa to $1,619 a month in Irving, down $82 a month (5%).
Median household income goes from $75,475 in Tampa to $81,830 in Irving, up $6,355 (8%).
The crime index goes from 93 in Tampa to 99 in Irving, up 6 points (6%).
The move
Irving and Tampa are 926 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,619 a month in Irving to $1,701 a month in Tampa, up $82 a month (5%).
Median household income goes from $81,830 in Irving to $75,475 in Tampa, down $6,355 (8%).
The crime index goes from 99 in Irving to 93 in Tampa, down 6 points (6%).
Tampa, FL
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 Tampa and Irving? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
5% cheaper
Irving rent is 5% cheaper than Tampa
Tampa
$1,701/mo
Irving
Winner$1,619/mo
Typical rent runs $1,619 a month in Irving versus $1,701 in Tampa, so Irving is 5% cheaper. The monthly spread is about $82, or $984 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
8% higher
Irving's median income is 8% higher than Tampa
Tampa
$75,475
Irving
Winner$81,830
Median household income is $81,830 in Irving versus $75,475 in Tampa, so typical pay runs 8% higher in Irving (about $6,355 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
6% lower crime
Tampa's crime index is 6% lower than Irving
Tampa
Winner93 (100 = avg)
Irving
99 (100 = avg)
Tampa's crime index is 93 versus 99 in Irving (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 6% lower in Tampa. The difference is noticeable without being night-and-day. You will still want to pick the neighborhood carefully in Tampa, but you will usually spend less energy on constant vigilance than you would in Irving. Tour both cities after dark before you let a modest index gap close the decision.
Typical weather
Neck and neck
Tampa and Irving are about even on typical weather.
Tampa
75°F avg · 83°F highs · comfort 100/100
Irving
70°F avg · 78°F highs · comfort 100/100
Tampa averages about 75°F (83°F highs); Irving averages about 70°F (78°F highs). Tampa sits near 75°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
Families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy
Tampa is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 6% lower than Irving (93 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.
Fit check
Career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth
Irving is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 5% 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 city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 8% higher here ($81,830). Start with Irving if your next chapter is about building earnings, and make weather or nightlife a secondary screen.
Bottom line
Safety is the widest gap: Tampa scores 62/100 versus 60/100 in Irving. Rent is $1,701/month in Tampa and $1,619/month in Irving, so you are not buying calm streets for free.
With only $82 separating typical rent, run both offer letters before housing cost alone picks the city.
Typical rent stays $1,619 in Irving and $1,701 in Tampa.
Between Tampa and Irving, Tampa is ahead on safety — 62/100 safety versus 60/100. Lean Irving instead when you already know the Irving block you would live on and the safety gap is acceptable.
Common questions
Ready to move to Irving?
Next steps
Quotes and listings for Irving when you're ready to act.
Keep researching
Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Tampa and Irving, plus other cities in FL and TX.
