Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Irving, TX
VS
Riverside, CA
🏆 Irving leads 14 of 22 categories
Irving
Texas
14
wins
Cost of Living Index
103.3⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$76,686
Violent Crime Index
72 ✓ Safer
Population
254,962
Riverside
California
8
wins
Cost of Living Index
107.9⚠ High
Median Household Income
$83,448 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
155⚠ High
Population
316,076 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Irving, TX
Pros
Homes cost $226k less ($259,500 vs $485,500)
53% less violent crime than Riverside
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.0 pts lower (4.1%)
Rent averages $288/mo less ($1,423 vs $1,711)
Commutes run 8 min shorter each way
More college-educated — 40.5% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cons
Median income trails Riverside by $6,762/yr
Riverside, CA
Pros
Milder winters — January highs near 70°F vs 57°F
Households earn $6,762 more per year on average
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $485,500
Violent crime (589.7/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Higher rents — median is $1,711/mo
Property crime (2832.1/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Key Differences at a Glance
Irving
Cost of Living
5% cheaper
COL index 103.3 vs 107.9 (100 = US avg)
Irving
Violent Crime
53% lower
275.4 vs 589.7 per 100k
Irving
Median Home Value
$226k less
$259,500 vs $485,500
Irving
Unemployment
2.0 pp lower
4.1% vs 6.1% unemployment
Riverside
Median Income
$6,762
$83,448 vs $76,686/yr
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Irving, TX | Riverside, CA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 103.3⚠ High ✓ Cheaper | 107.9⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $259,500 ✓ Lower | $485,500⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,423⚠ High ✓ Lower | $1,711⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $76,686 | $83,448 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.1%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 6.1%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 23.8 min ✓ Shorter | 31.3 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 14.0% ✓ Higher | 8.1% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 85 ✓ Safer | 147⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 72 ✓ Safer | 155⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 105⚠ High ✓ Safer | 135⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B+ (109) ✓ Better | C+ (88) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 15.5:1 ✓ Smaller | 23.3:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 40.5% ✓ Higher | 24.4% |
| High School or Higher | 79.7% | 82.6% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | IRVING ISD | Riverside Unified |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 56.5°F | 69.8°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 95.6°F ✓ Warmer | 95.3°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 37.0" | 10.0" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 1.6" | 0.0" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 254,962 | 316,076 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 32.4 |
| Homeownership Rate | 37.2% | 55.5% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 26.4% ✓ More | 23.6% |
| Over 65 | 8.3% | 11.3% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Irving's cost of living index is 103.3 vs Riverside's 107.9 (US average = 100).
Irving is 5% less expensive overall.
Based on the 22 decided categories above, Irving leads 14 of 22 categories. Irving wins 14 and Riverside wins 8. 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 Riverside or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($259,500 vs $485,500 median home), income ($76,686 vs $83,448), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Irving, TX and Riverside, CA are about 1,179 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.