Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Baltimore, MD
VS
Irving, TX
🏆 Irving leads 14 of 23 categories
Baltimore
Maryland
9
wins
Cost of Living Index
102.7⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$58,349
Violent Crime Index
423⚠ High
Population
584,548 ✓ Larger
Irving
Texas
14
wins
Cost of Living Index
103.3⚠ High
Median Household Income
$76,686 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
72 ✓ Safer
Population
254,962
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Baltimore, MD
Pros
Homes cost $57k less ($202,900 vs $259,500)
Rent averages $188/mo less ($1,235 vs $1,423)
Cooler summers — July highs near 90°F vs 96°F
Cons
Violent crime (1606.2/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Median income trails Irving by $18,337/yr
Property crime (4157.0/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Higher unemployment (6.9% vs 4.1%)
Irving, TX
Pros
83% less violent crime than Baltimore
Households earn $18,337 more per year on average
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.8 pts lower (4.1%)
Commutes run 6 min shorter each way
Milder winters — January highs near 57°F vs 44°F
More college-educated — 40.5% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cons
Higher rents — median is $1,423/mo
Key Differences at a Glance
Baltimore
Cost of Living
1% cheaper
COL index 102.7 vs 103.3 (100 = US avg)
Baltimore
Median Home Value
$57k less
$202,900 vs $259,500
Irving
Median Income
$18,337
$76,686 vs $58,349/yr
Irving
Violent Crime
83% lower
275.4 vs 1606.2 per 100k
Irving
Unemployment
2.8 pp lower
4.1% vs 6.9% unemployment
Irving
Summer Heat
5.5°F warmer
July avg high 95.6°F vs 90.1°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Irving, TX |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 102.7⚠ High ✓ Cheaper | 103.3⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $202,900 ✓ Lower | $259,500 |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,235 ✓ Lower | $1,423⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $58,349 | $76,686 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.9%⚠ High | 4.1%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 30.1 min⚠ High | 23.8 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 13.4% | 14.0% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 333⚠ High | 85 ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 423⚠ High | 72 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 198⚠ High | 105⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (95) | B+ (109) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.4:1 ✓ Smaller | 15.5:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 34.9% | 40.5% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 87.1% ✓ Higher | 79.7% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Baltimore City Public Schools | IRVING ISD |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 43.7°F | 56.5°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 90.1°F | 95.6°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 43.7" | 37.0" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 19.3" | 1.6" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 584,548 ✓ Larger | 254,962 |
| Median Age | 36.0 ✓ Older | 32.4 |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.8% ✓ Higher | 37.2% |
| Under 18 | 20.4% | 26.4% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 14.8% ✓ More | 8.3% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Baltimore's cost of living index is 102.7 vs Irving's 103.3 (US average = 100).
Baltimore is 1% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Irving leads 14 of 23 categories. Baltimore wins 9 and Irving wins 14. The right choice depends on your priorities — use the Pros & Cons and full table above to weigh what matters to you.
Whether you're moving from Baltimore to Irving or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($202,900 vs $259,500 median home), income ($58,349 vs $76,686), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Baltimore, MD and Irving, TX are about 1,218 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.