City comparison
No. Irving's crime index is 99 versus 326 in Wichita, and its violent crime index is 78 versus 353, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Wichita is cheaper. Median rent is $975 a month versus $1,619 in Irving.
Safety is where Wichita and Irving split most clearly. Irving scores 227 points better on the crime index, a gap that shows up in evening walks, parking situations, and insurance rates. Rent runs $975 in Wichita and $1,619 in Irving.
This is a genuine split. Wichita 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. Wichita at $975 average has pockets that run $775 and others at $1,375: your actual number depends on which part of the city you land in.
The move
Wichita and Irving are 338 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $975 a month in Wichita to $1,619 a month in Irving, up $644 a month (66%).
Median household income goes from $64,620 in Wichita to $81,830 in Irving, up $17,210 (27%).
The crime index goes from 326 in Wichita to 99 in Irving, down 227 points (70%).
The move
Irving and Wichita are 338 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,619 a month in Irving to $975 a month in Wichita, down $644 a month (40%).
Median household income goes from $81,830 in Irving to $64,620 in Wichita, down $17,210 (21%).
The crime index goes from 99 in Irving to 326 in Wichita, up 227 points (229%).
Wichita, KS
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 Wichita and Irving? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
40% cheaper
Wichita rent is 40% cheaper than Irving
Wichita
Winner$975/mo
Irving
$1,619/mo
Typical rent runs $975 a month in Wichita versus $1,619 in Irving, so Wichita is 40% cheaper. That's roughly $644/month back in your pocket ($7,728/year). Over five years that's $38,640 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 Irving, the extra rent can be rational. If you do not, Wichita 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
27% higher
Irving's median income is 27% higher than Wichita
Wichita
$64,620
Irving
Winner$81,830
Median household income is $81,830 in Irving versus $64,620 in Wichita, so typical pay runs 27% higher in Irving (about $17,210 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. Wichita can still win if housing is cheap enough to offset the weaker median or if your specific role already pays well there.
Crime index
70% lower crime
Irving's crime index is 70% lower than Wichita
Wichita
326 (100 = avg)
Irving
Winner99 (100 = avg)
Irving's crime index is 99 versus 326 in Wichita (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 70% 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. Wichita can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
Neck and neck
Wichita and Irving are about even on typical weather.
Wichita
67°F avg · 75°F highs · comfort 100/100
Irving
73°F avg · 80°F highs · comfort 100/100
Wichita averages about 67°F (75°F highs); Irving averages about 73°F (80°F highs). Wichita sits near 67°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Irving sits near 73°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 Wichita
Wichita is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 40% cheaper here at about $975 a month. Choose Wichita 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 27% 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 70% lower than Wichita (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 24/100 in Wichita. Rent is $1,619/month in Irving and $975/month in Wichita, so you are not buying calm streets for free.
Irving still pays more locally ($81,830 median income vs $64,620), which can offset the lease if your field pays Irving rates.
Median income is $81,830 in Irving versus $64,620 in Wichita.
Most movers who prioritize safety land in Irving; Wichita only makes sense when you have walked the Wichita ZIP you would rent and accept the trade for $975 rent.
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 Wichita and Irving, plus other cities in KS and TX.
