Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Irving, TX
VS
Newark, NJ
🏆 Irving leads 18 of 23 categories
Irving
Texas
18
wins
Cost of Living Index
103.3⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$76,686 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
72 ✓ Safer
Population
254,962
Newark
New Jersey
5
wins
Cost of Living Index
112.5⚠ High
Median Household Income
$46,460
Violent Crime Index
153⚠ High
Population
307,355 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Irving, TX
Pros
Households earn $30,226 more per year on average
Stronger job market — unemployment is 6.6 pts lower (4.1%)
53% less violent crime than Newark
Homes cost $53k less ($259,500 vs $312,300)
More college-educated — 40.5% hold a bachelor's or higher
Commutes run 9 min shorter each way
Cons
Higher rents — median is $1,423/mo
Newark, NJ
Pros
Rent averages $150/mo less ($1,273 vs $1,423)
Cooler summers — July highs near 87°F vs 96°F
Cons
Median income trails Irving by $30,226/yr
Violent crime (581.2/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Pricier housing — median home is $312,300
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 112.5)
Key Differences at a Glance
Irving
Cost of Living
9% cheaper
COL index 103.3 vs 112.5 (100 = US avg)
Irving
Median Income
$30,226
$76,686 vs $46,460/yr
Irving
Violent Crime
53% lower
275.4 vs 581.2 per 100k
Irving
Median Home Value
$53k less
$259,500 vs $312,300
Irving
Unemployment
6.6 pp lower
4.1% vs 10.7% unemployment
Irving
Summer Heat
8.8°F warmer
July avg high 95.6°F vs 86.8°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Irving, TX | Newark, NJ |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 103.3⚠ High ✓ Cheaper | 112.5⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $259,500 ✓ Lower | $312,300⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,423⚠ High | $1,273 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $76,686 ✓ Higher | $46,460 |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.1%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 10.7%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 23.8 min ✓ Shorter | 33.0 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 14.0% ✓ Higher | 4.6% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 85 ✓ Safer | 129⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 72 ✓ Safer | 153⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 105⚠ High | 93 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B+ (109) ✓ Better | C+ (85) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 15.5:1 ✓ Smaller | 15.6:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 40.5% ✓ Higher | 17.0% |
| High School or Higher | 79.7% ✓ Higher | 77.7% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | IRVING ISD | Newark Public School District |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 56.5°F ✓ Warmer | 39.4°F |
| Avg High — July | 95.6°F ✓ Warmer | 86.8°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 37.0" ✓ Drier | 50.4" |
| Annual Snowfall | 1.6" ✓ Less | 28.2" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 254,962 | 307,355 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 34.7 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 37.2% ✓ Higher | 23.9% |
| Under 18 | 26.4% ✓ More | 24.1% |
| Over 65 | 8.3% | 10.9% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Irving's cost of living index is 103.3 vs Newark's 112.5 (US average = 100).
Irving is 9% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Irving leads 18 of 23 categories. Irving wins 18 and Newark wins 5. 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 Irving to Newark or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($259,500 vs $312,300 median home), income ($76,686 vs $46,460), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Irving, TX and Newark, NJ are about 1,368 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.