Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Irving, TX
VS
Vista, CA
🏆 Irving leads 13 of 23 categories
Irving
Texas
13
wins
Cost of Living Index
103.3⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$76,686
Violent Crime Index
72 ✓ Safer
Population
254,962 ✓ Larger
Vista
California
10
wins
Cost of Living Index
111.5⚠ High
Median Household Income
$88,715 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
83
Population
98,392
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Irving, TX
Pros
Homes cost $363k less ($259,500 vs $622,900)
Rent averages $579/mo less ($1,423 vs $2,002)
13% less violent crime than Vista
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.2 pts lower (4.1%)
More college-educated — 40.5% hold a bachelor's or higher
Commutes run 3 min shorter each way
Cons
Median income trails Vista by $12,029/yr
Vista, CA
Pros
Households earn $12,029 more per year on average
Cooler summers — July highs near 79°F vs 96°F
Milder winters — January highs near 66°F vs 57°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $622,900
Higher rents — median is $2,002/mo
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 111.5)
Higher unemployment (6.3% vs 4.1%)
Key Differences at a Glance
Irving
Cost of Living
8% cheaper
COL index 103.3 vs 111.5 (100 = US avg)
Irving
Violent Crime
13% lower
275.4 vs 316.4 per 100k
Irving
Median Home Value
$363k less
$259,500 vs $622,900
Irving
Unemployment
2.2 pp lower
4.1% vs 6.3% unemployment
Irving
Summer Heat
16.7°F warmer
July avg high 95.6°F vs 78.9°F
Vista
Median Income
$12,029
$88,715 vs $76,686/yr
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Irving, TX | Vista, CA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 103.3⚠ High ✓ Cheaper | 111.5⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $259,500 ✓ Lower | $622,900⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,423⚠ High ✓ Lower | $2,002⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $76,686 | $88,715 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.1%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 6.3%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 23.8 min ✓ Shorter | 27.1 min |
| Work From Home % | 14.0% ✓ Higher | 11.8% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 85 | 66 ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 72 ✓ Safer | 83 |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 105⚠ High | 41 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B+ (109) ✓ Better | C+ (87) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 15.5:1 ✓ Smaller | 20.7:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 40.5% ✓ Higher | 27.2% |
| High School or Higher | 79.7% | 82.1% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | IRVING ISD | Vista Unified |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 56.5°F | 65.6°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 95.6°F ✓ Warmer | 78.9°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 37.0" | 13.2" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 1.6" | 0.0" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 254,962 ✓ Larger | 98,392 |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 34.9 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 37.2% | 49.4% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 26.4% ✓ More | 23.9% |
| Over 65 | 8.3% | 11.9% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Irving's cost of living index is 103.3 vs Vista's 111.5 (US average = 100).
Irving is 8% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Irving leads 13 of 23 categories. Irving wins 13 and Vista 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 Vista or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($259,500 vs $622,900 median home), income ($76,686 vs $88,715), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Irving, TX and Vista, CA are about 1,173 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.