Irving vs Ithaca
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Irving
Ithaca
The Verdict
Ithaca is 6.4% less expensive than Irving overall. A household earning $75,000 in Irving would need approximately $70,500 in Ithaca to maintain the same standard of living.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Irving has the same purchasing power as $70,500 in Ithaca.
Conversely, $75,000 in Ithaca equals $79,787 in Irving.
Living in Irving vs Ithaca
Housing Costs
Irving's housing index of 94 is lower Ithaca's 117, translating to median home prices of $318,000 vs $324,000. The $6,000 difference in home prices means roughly $396 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,350/mo in Irving compared to $1,475/mo in Ithaca, a monthly difference of $125.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 99 in Irving and 103 in Ithaca. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Irving vs $489/month in Ithaca. The difference in grocery costs between these cities is relatively minor and unlikely to be a deciding factor in relocation.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 111 in Irving and 102 in Ithaca. Monthly utility bills average approximately $444 in Irving vs $408 in Ithaca. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 103 in Irving and 99 in Ithaca. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. Healthcare costs are relatively similar between these two cities, though individual plan costs can still vary.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $73,400 in Irving and $48,600 in Ithaca. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $73,400 and $51,702 respectively. Irving residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,713/month to housing in Irving vs $1,134/month in Ithaca. In Irving, median rent of $1,350/mo fits within this budget. In Ithaca, median rent of $1,475/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 23 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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