Irving TX vs Phoenix AZ — 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%
Phoenix, AZ
Arizona · Population: 1,624,832
- Median HH Income$77,041
- Median Home Price$411,323
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+32.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Irving
255,036
Phoenix
1,624,832
Phoenix +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Irving
N/A
Phoenix
N/A
Median Age
Irving
32.8
Irving +
Phoenix
34.8
Foreign Born
Irving
41.9%
Irving +
Phoenix
19.0%
White
Irving
36.7%
Phoenix
53.7%
Phoenix +
Black
Irving
12.9%
Irving +
Phoenix
7.8%
Asian
Irving
22.6%
Irving +
Phoenix
3.9%
Hispanic
Irving
43.0%
Irving +
Phoenix
41.8%
Spanish at Home
Irving
N/A
Phoenix
N/A
| Metric | Irving, TX | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 255,036 | 1,624,832 | Phoenix + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.8 | 34.8 | Irving + |
| Foreign Born | 41.9% | 19.0% | Irving + |
| White | 36.7% | 53.7% | Phoenix + |
| Black | 12.9% | 7.8% | Irving + |
| Asian | 22.6% | 3.9% | Irving + |
| Hispanic | 43.0% | 41.8% | Irving + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Irving
$79,641
Irving +
Phoenix
$77,041
Per Capita Income
Irving
$39,462
Phoenix
$40,309
Phoenix +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Irving
$63,758
Irving +
Phoenix
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Irving
4.3%
Irving +
Phoenix
5.1%
Poverty Rate
Irving
11.0%
Irving +
Phoenix
14.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Irving
41.6%
Irving +
Phoenix
32.3%
| Metric | Irving, TX | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $79,641 | $77,041 | Irving + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,462 | $40,309 | Phoenix + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $59,120 | Irving + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 5.1% | Irving + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.0% | 14.3% | Irving + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.6% | 32.3% | Irving + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Irving
$344,888
Irving +
Phoenix
$411,323
Homeownership Rate
Irving
38.3%
Phoenix
57.1%
Phoenix +
| Metric | Irving, TX | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $344,888 | $411,323 | Irving + |
| Homeownership Rate | 38.3% | 57.1% | Phoenix + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Irving
442
Irving +
Phoenix
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Irving
2339
Phoenix
2150
Phoenix +
| Metric | Irving, TX | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 450 | Irving + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2150 | Phoenix + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Irving
31.6%
Irving +
Phoenix
32.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Irving
10.5%
Irving +
Phoenix
10.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Irving
16.2%
Phoenix
16.2%
Tie
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Irving
20.6%
Phoenix
17.3%
Phoenix +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Irving
17.0%
Phoenix
16.3%
Phoenix +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Irving
11.2%
Irving +
Phoenix
12.2%
| Metric | Irving, TX | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.6% | 32.3% | Irving + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 10.8% | Irving + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 16.2% | Tie |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 20.6% | 17.3% | Phoenix + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.0% | 16.3% | Phoenix + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 12.2% | Irving + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Irving
N/A
Phoenix
72.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Irving
N/A
Phoenix
10.8 in
| Metric | Irving, TX | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 72.1°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 10.8 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Irving
9.2 µg/m³
Phoenix
7.1 µg/m³
Phoenix +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Irving
55.0%
Phoenix
75.0%
Phoenix +
| Metric | Irving, TX | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Phoenix + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Phoenix + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Irving
26.0 min
Irving +
Phoenix
27.7 min
| Metric | Irving, TX | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.0 min | 27.7 min | Irving + |
Which City is Right for You?
Irving leads in median household income at $79,641, while irving offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $344,888. On public safety, Irving is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 450 in Phoenix. Irving has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Phoenix has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Irving scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.6%.
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