City Comparison

Irving vs Washington

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Irving

Texas
100
Average
$318,000
Median Home
$1,350/mo
Median Rent
$73,400
Median Income

Washington

District of Columbia
152
Very Expensive
$580,000
Median Home
$2,300/mo
Median Rent
$90,842
Median Income

The Verdict

34.2%

Living in Irving costs 34.2% less than Washington. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Irving, you would need $114,000 in Washington.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable

Housing
94
Irving
226
Washington
Groceries
99
Irving
108
Washington
Utilities
111
Irving
118
Washington
Transportation
97
Irving
109
Washington
Healthcare
103
Irving
105
Washington

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Irving has the same purchasing power as $114,000 in Washington.

Conversely, $75,000 in Washington equals $49,342 in Irving.

Living in Irving vs Washington

Housing Costs

Irving's housing index of 94 is lower Washington's 226, translating to median home prices of $318,000 vs $580,000. The $262,000 difference in home prices means roughly $17,028 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,350/mo in Irving compared to $2,300/mo in Washington, a monthly difference of $950.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 99 in Irving and 108 in Washington. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Irving vs $513/month in Washington. Irving offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $516/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 111 in Irving and 118 in Washington. Monthly utility bills average approximately $444 in Irving vs $472 in Washington. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 103 in Irving and 105 in Washington. 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 $90,842 in Washington. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $73,400 and $59,764 respectively. Irving residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite lower nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,713/month to housing in Irving vs $2,120/month in Washington. In Irving, median rent of $1,350/mo fits within this budget. In Washington, median rent of $2,300/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 132 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Irving is 34.2% more affordable overall with an index of 100 vs 152.
A $75,000 salary in Irving has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $114,000 in Washington, based on the cost of living difference.
Irving's housing index is 94 with median homes at $318,000, while Washington's is 226 with median homes at $580,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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