City comparison
No. Irving's crime index is 99 versus 156 in Tucson, and its violent crime index is 78 versus 146, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Tucson is cheaper. Median rent is $1,145 a month versus $1,619 in Irving.
The income gap between Tucson and Irving is significant: $57,073 median household versus $81,830. That spread matters more if you are job hunting locally than if you are remote. Typical rent is $1,145 in Tucson and $1,619 in Irving.
This is a genuine split. Tucson wins on cost of living and Irving wins on the job market 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. Tucson at $1,145 average has pockets that run $945 and others at $1,545: your actual number depends on which part of the city you land in.
The move
Tucson and Irving are 815 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,145 a month in Tucson to $1,619 a month in Irving, up $474 a month (41%).
Median household income goes from $57,073 in Tucson to $81,830 in Irving, up $24,757 (43%).
The crime index goes from 156 in Tucson to 99 in Irving, down 57 points (37%).
The move
Irving and Tucson are 815 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,619 a month in Irving to $1,145 a month in Tucson, down $474 a month (29%).
Median household income goes from $81,830 in Irving to $57,073 in Tucson, down $24,757 (30%).
The crime index goes from 99 in Irving to 156 in Tucson, up 57 points (58%).
Tucson, AZ
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 Tucson and Irving? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
29% cheaper
Tucson rent is 29% cheaper than Irving
Tucson
Winner$1,145/mo
Irving
$1,619/mo
Typical rent runs $1,145 a month in Tucson versus $1,619 in Irving, so Tucson is 29% cheaper. That's roughly $474/month back in your pocket ($5,688/year). Over five years that's $28,440 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 Irving, the extra rent can be rational. If you do not, Tucson 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
43% higher
Irving's median income is 43% higher than Tucson
Tucson
$57,073
Irving
Winner$81,830
Median household income is $81,830 in Irving versus $57,073 in Tucson, so typical pay runs 43% higher in Irving (about $24,757 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, Irving is the stronger labor market on paper. Tucson can still win if housing is cheap enough to offset the weaker median or if your specific role already pays well there.
Crime index
37% lower crime
Irving's crime index is 37% lower than Tucson
Tucson
156 (100 = avg)
Irving
Winner99 (100 = avg)
Irving's crime index is 99 versus 156 in Tucson (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 37% 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. Tucson can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
Neck and neck
Tucson and Irving are about even on typical weather.
Tucson
77°F avg · 84°F highs · comfort 100/100
Irving
70°F avg · 78°F highs · comfort 100/100
Tucson averages about 77°F (84°F highs); Irving averages about 70°F (78°F highs). Tucson 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
People with a job, family, or neighborhood already pulling them to Tucson
Tucson is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 29% cheaper here at about $1,145 a month. Choose Tucson if you are stretching a salary, starting over, or want slack for travel and debt instead of a flashier skyline.
Fit check
Career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth
Irving is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 43% higher here ($81,830). Start with Irving if your next chapter is about building earnings, and make weather or nightlife a secondary screen.
Irving is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 37% lower than Tucson (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 46/100 in Tucson. Rent is $1,619/month in Irving and $1,145/month in Tucson, so you are not buying calm streets for free.
Tucson rent at $1,145/month is still below Irving's $1,619, so cost-sensitive households should weigh the lease before the paycheck.
Typical rent stays $1,145 in Tucson and $1,619 in Irving.
Irving is ahead on safety (60/100 vs 46/100); Tucson is still viable when you have a vetted ZIP there and $1,145/month rent plus $57,073 income fit your budget better than the safety margin.
Common questions
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Next steps
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Tucson and Irving, plus other cities in AZ and TX.
