Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Irving, TX
VS
Richmond, VA
🏆 Irving leads 13 of 23 categories
Irving
Texas
13
wins
Cost of Living Index
103.3⚠ High
Median Household Income
$76,686 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
72 ✓ Safer
Population
254,962 ✓ Larger
Richmond
Virginia
10
wins
Cost of Living Index
98.0 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$59,606
Violent Crime Index
89
Population
227,171
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Irving, TX
Pros
18% less violent crime than Richmond
Households earn $17,080 more per year on average
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.0 pts lower (4.1%)
Homes cost $49k less ($259,500 vs $308,300)
Milder winters — January highs near 57°F vs 48°F
Cons
Higher rents — median is $1,423/mo
Cost of living runs 5% higher than Richmond
Richmond, VA
Pros
Rent averages $196/mo less ($1,227 vs $1,423)
More college-educated — 44.1% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cooler summers — July highs near 90°F vs 96°F
5% cheaper overall cost of living than Irving
Smaller class sizes — 11.9:1 student-teacher ratio
Cons
Median income trails Irving by $17,080/yr
Pricier housing — median home is $308,300
Property crime (3179.4/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Higher unemployment (6.1% vs 4.1%)
Key Differences at a Glance
Irving
Median Income
$17,080
$76,686 vs $59,606/yr
Irving
Violent Crime
18% lower
275.4 vs 336.9 per 100k
Irving
Median Home Value
$49k less
$259,500 vs $308,300
Irving
Unemployment
2.0 pp lower
4.1% vs 6.1% unemployment
Irving
Summer Heat
6.1°F warmer
July avg high 95.6°F vs 89.5°F
Richmond
Cost of Living
5% cheaper
COL index 98.0 vs 103.3 (100 = US avg)
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Irving, TX | Richmond, VA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 103.3⚠ High | 98.0 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $259,500 ✓ Lower | $308,300⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,423⚠ High | $1,227 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $76,686 ✓ Higher | $59,606 |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.1%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 6.1%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 23.8 min | 22.0 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 14.0% | 14.3% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 85 ✓ Safer | 114⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 72 ✓ Safer | 89 |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 105⚠ High ✓ Safer | 151⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B+ (109) ✓ Better | B+ (107) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 15.5:1 | 11.9:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 40.5% | 44.1% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 79.7% | 88.8% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | IRVING ISD | Richmond City Public Schools |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 56.5°F ✓ Warmer | 47.8°F |
| Avg High — July | 95.6°F ✓ Warmer | 89.5°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 37.0" ✓ Drier | 47.1" |
| Annual Snowfall | 1.6" ✓ Less | 8.8" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 254,962 ✓ Larger | 227,171 |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 34.5 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 37.2% | 43.2% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 26.4% ✓ More | 17.1% |
| Over 65 | 8.3% | 13.8% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Irving's cost of living index is 103.3 vs Richmond's 98.0 (US average = 100).
Richmond is 5% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Irving leads 13 of 23 categories. Irving wins 13 and Richmond wins 10. 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 Richmond or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($259,500 vs $308,300 median home), income ($76,686 vs $59,606), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Irving, TX and Richmond, VA are about 1,145 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.