Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Irving, TX
VS
Oakland, CA
🏆 Irving leads 12 of 23 categories
Irving
Texas
12
wins
Cost of Living Index
103.3⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$76,686
Violent Crime Index
72 ✓ Safer
Population
254,962
Oakland
California
11
wins
Cost of Living Index
118.2⚠ High
Median Household Income
$94,389 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
507⚠ High
Population
437,825 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Irving, TX
Pros
Homes cost $624k less ($259,500 vs $883,800)
86% less violent crime than Oakland
Rent averages $426/mo less ($1,423 vs $1,849)
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.7 pts lower (4.1%)
15% cheaper overall cost of living than Oakland
Commutes run 8 min shorter each way
Cons
Median income trails Oakland by $17,703/yr
Oakland, CA
Pros
Households earn $17,703 more per year on average
Cooler summers — July highs near 72°F vs 96°F
More college-educated — 48.4% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $883,800
Violent crime (1925.3/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Higher rents — median is $1,849/mo
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 118.2)
Key Differences at a Glance
Irving
Cost of Living
15% cheaper
COL index 103.3 vs 118.2 (100 = US avg)
Irving
Violent Crime
86% lower
275.4 vs 1925.3 per 100k
Irving
Median Home Value
$624k less
$259,500 vs $883,800
Irving
Unemployment
1.7 pp lower
4.1% vs 5.8% unemployment
Irving
Summer Heat
24.0°F warmer
July avg high 95.6°F vs 71.6°F
Oakland
Median Income
$17,703
$94,389 vs $76,686/yr
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Irving, TX | Oakland, CA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 103.3⚠ High ✓ Cheaper | 118.2⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $259,500 ✓ Lower | $883,800⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,423⚠ High ✓ Lower | $1,849⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $76,686 | $94,389 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.1%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 5.8%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 23.8 min ✓ Shorter | 31.5 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 14.0% | 20.3% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 85 ✓ Safer | 400⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 72 ✓ Safer | 507⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 105⚠ High ✓ Safer | 344⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B+ (109) ✓ Better | B (98) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 15.5:1 ✓ Smaller | 18.8:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 40.5% | 48.4% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 79.7% | 85.6% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | IRVING ISD | Oakland Unified |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 56.5°F | 59.8°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 95.6°F ✓ Warmer | 71.6°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 37.0" | 22.5" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 1.6" | 0.0" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 254,962 | 437,825 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 37.5 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 37.2% | 42.1% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 26.4% ✓ More | 19.1% |
| Over 65 | 8.3% | 14.1% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Irving's cost of living index is 103.3 vs Oakland's 118.2 (US average = 100).
Irving is 15% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Irving leads 12 of 23 categories. Irving wins 12 and Oakland wins 11. 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 Oakland or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($259,500 vs $883,800 median home), income ($76,686 vs $94,389), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Irving, TX and Oakland, CA are about 1,459 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.