Irving TX vs Philadelphia PA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Irving, TX
Texas · Population: 255,036
- Median HH Income$79,641
- Median Home Price$344,888
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+41.6%
Philadelphia, PA
Pennsylvania · Population: 1,582,432
- Median HH Income$60,698
- Median Home Price$233,814
- Unemployment8.4%
- Bachelor's+34.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Irving
255,036
Philadelphia
1,582,432
Philadelphia +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Irving
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
Median Age
Irving
32.8
Irving +
Philadelphia
35.1
Foreign Born
Irving
41.9%
Irving +
Philadelphia
14.6%
White
Irving
36.7%
Irving +
Philadelphia
36.1%
Black
Irving
12.9%
Philadelphia
39.9%
Philadelphia +
Asian
Irving
22.6%
Irving +
Philadelphia
7.8%
Hispanic
Irving
43.0%
Irving +
Philadelphia
15.2%
Spanish at Home
Irving
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | Irving, TX | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 255,036 | 1,582,432 | Philadelphia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.8 | 35.1 | Irving + |
| Foreign Born | 41.9% | 14.6% | Irving + |
| White | 36.7% | 36.1% | Irving + |
| Black | 12.9% | 39.9% | Philadelphia + |
| Asian | 22.6% | 7.8% | Irving + |
| Hispanic | 43.0% | 15.2% | Irving + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Irving
$79,641
Irving +
Philadelphia
$60,698
Per Capita Income
Irving
$39,462
Irving +
Philadelphia
$37,669
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Irving
$63,758
Philadelphia
$65,080
Philadelphia +
Unemployment Rate
Irving
4.3%
Irving +
Philadelphia
8.4%
Poverty Rate
Irving
11.0%
Irving +
Philadelphia
22.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Irving
41.6%
Irving +
Philadelphia
34.6%
| Metric | Irving, TX | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $79,641 | $60,698 | Irving + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,462 | $37,669 | Irving + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $65,080 | Philadelphia + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 8.4% | Irving + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.0% | 22.0% | Irving + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.6% | 34.6% | Irving + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Irving
$344,888
Philadelphia
$233,814
Philadelphia +
Homeownership Rate
Irving
38.3%
Philadelphia
52.3%
Philadelphia +
| Metric | Irving, TX | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $344,888 | $233,814 | Philadelphia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 38.3% | 52.3% | Philadelphia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Irving
442
Philadelphia
319
Philadelphia +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Irving
2339
Philadelphia
1613
Philadelphia +
| Metric | Irving, TX | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 319 | Philadelphia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1613 | Philadelphia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Irving
31.6%
Philadelphia
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Irving
10.5%
Philadelphia
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Irving
16.2%
Philadelphia
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Irving
20.6%
Philadelphia
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Irving
17.0%
Philadelphia
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Irving
11.2%
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | Irving, TX | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.6% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.5% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 20.6% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.0% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.2% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Irving
N/A
Philadelphia
57.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Irving
N/A
Philadelphia
48.5 in
| Metric | Irving, TX | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 57.1°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 48.5 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Irving
9.2 µg/m³
Irving +
Philadelphia
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Irving
55.0%
Philadelphia
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Irving, TX | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Irving + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Irving
26.0 min
Irving +
Philadelphia
34.5 min
| Metric | Irving, TX | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.0 min | 34.5 min | Irving + |
Which City is Right for You?
Irving leads in median household income at $79,641, while philadelphia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $233,814. On public safety, Philadelphia is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Irving. Irving has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Irving has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³).
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