Irving TX vs Tucson 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%
Tucson, AZ
Arizona · Population: 543,348
- Median HH Income$54,546
- Median Home Price$324,946
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+30.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Irving
255,036
Tucson
543,348
Tucson +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Irving
N/A
Tucson
N/A
Median Age
Irving
32.8
Irving +
Tucson
34.6
Foreign Born
Irving
41.9%
Irving +
Tucson
13.7%
White
Irving
36.7%
Tucson
58.2%
Tucson +
Black
Irving
12.9%
Irving +
Tucson
5.0%
Asian
Irving
22.6%
Irving +
Tucson
3.1%
Hispanic
Irving
43.0%
Irving +
Tucson
42.7%
Spanish at Home
Irving
N/A
Tucson
N/A
| Metric | Irving, TX | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 255,036 | 543,348 | Tucson + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.8 | 34.6 | Irving + |
| Foreign Born | 41.9% | 13.7% | Irving + |
| White | 36.7% | 58.2% | Tucson + |
| Black | 12.9% | 5.0% | Irving + |
| Asian | 22.6% | 3.1% | Irving + |
| Hispanic | 43.0% | 42.7% | Irving + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Irving
$79,641
Irving +
Tucson
$54,546
Per Capita Income
Irving
$39,462
Irving +
Tucson
$31,152
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Irving
$63,758
Irving +
Tucson
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Irving
4.3%
Irving +
Tucson
6.4%
Poverty Rate
Irving
11.0%
Irving +
Tucson
18.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Irving
41.6%
Irving +
Tucson
30.2%
| Metric | Irving, TX | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $79,641 | $54,546 | Irving + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,462 | $31,152 | Irving + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $59,120 | Irving + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 6.4% | Irving + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.0% | 18.8% | Irving + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.6% | 30.2% | Irving + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Irving
$344,888
Tucson
$324,946
Tucson +
Homeownership Rate
Irving
38.3%
Tucson
51.7%
Tucson +
| Metric | Irving, TX | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $344,888 | $324,946 | Tucson + |
| Homeownership Rate | 38.3% | 51.7% | Tucson + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Irving
442
Irving +
Tucson
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Irving
2339
Tucson
2150
Tucson +
| Metric | Irving, TX | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 450 | Irving + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2150 | Tucson + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Irving
31.6%
Irving +
Tucson
33.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Irving
10.5%
Irving +
Tucson
11.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Irving
16.2%
Irving +
Tucson
18.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Irving
20.6%
Tucson
15.7%
Tucson +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Irving
17.0%
Tucson
14.6%
Tucson +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Irving
11.2%
Irving +
Tucson
12.5%
| Metric | Irving, TX | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.6% | 33.5% | Irving + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 11.5% | Irving + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 18.3% | Irving + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 20.6% | 15.7% | Tucson + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.0% | 14.6% | Tucson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 12.5% | Irving + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Irving
N/A
Tucson
69.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Irving
N/A
Tucson
12.2 in
| Metric | Irving, TX | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 69.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 12.2 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Irving
9.2 µg/m³
Tucson
7.1 µg/m³
Tucson +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Irving
55.0%
Tucson
75.0%
Tucson +
| Metric | Irving, TX | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Tucson + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Tucson + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Irving
26.0 min
Tucson
23.9 min
Tucson +
| Metric | Irving, TX | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.0 min | 23.9 min | Tucson + |
Which City is Right for You?
Irving leads in median household income at $79,641, while tucson offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $324,946. On public safety, Irving is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 450 in Tucson. Irving has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Tucson 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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