Source-led head-to-head · 2024 ACS
Moving from Irving to Los Angeles
Based on 2024 ACS 5-year data, Irving and Los Angeles show nearly identical median household incomes (~$81.8k vs $81.9k), but diverge sharply in housing costs. Irving’s median gross rent is $1,619/month and home value $315,600, while Los Angeles reports $1,933 rent and $921,200 home value — reflecting a significantly higher cost of shelter in LA. Commute times favor Irving at 26 minutes versus LA’s 33 minutes. Although California applies a 9.30% state income tax in the model (not actual liability), Texas has no state income tax, improving after-tax income potential in Irving. The uniform non-housing baseline of $1,250/month is identical for both. Thus, Irving offers lower housing burdens and shorter commutes with comparable income, while LA trades higher housing costs for access to a larger metropolitan economy, though neither metric alone determines overall suitability.
Corridor Direction & Trade-off Delta
⇄ Switch to Los Angeles → IrvingMoving from Irving to Los Angeles
Median Rent Impact
+$314/mo
Moving to Los Angeles costs ~$3,768 more/yr in rent.
State Tax Treatment
+9.3%
~$9,300 more state tax on a $100k salary in California.
Daily Commute Difference
+7 min / day
Difference of ~58 hours per year spent commuting based on 2024 ACS midpoint averages.
Your move
Compare the life behind the offer.
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Search all 32,330 U.S. Census places directly below.Instant results use official 2024 ACS place data. Places with incomplete required signals remain visible in search but cannot be selected.
Directional estimate using ACS citywide benchmarks. Verified profiles may include a simplified state-tax reference; automatically added profiles exclude state tax until an official reference is approved. Exact tax, benefits, debt, housing, insurance, and personal circumstances may materially change the result.
LIVE VERDICTIRV → LAX
43/ 100
The offer needs work
The destination absorbs more of the offer.Estimated annual life delta−$1,800after essentials; unverified state tax excluded
Best gainA large labor market with a household-income benchmark above New York's
Watch closelyA $921,200 ownership benchmark and a conservative marginal California tax reference
The short answer
In the uniform one-person renting baseline, Irving is about $3,768 lower per year. This is not a verdict by itself: replace city medians with the actual offer, address, household, benefits, insurance, and tax details before deciding.
Irving household income$81,830
Los Angeles household income$81,939
Irving gross rent$1,619
Los Angeles gross rent$1,933
Housing, income, and tax reference
| Metric | Irving | Los Angeles |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 ACS population | 256,492 | 3,857,263 |
| Median household income | $81,830 | $81,939 |
| Median gross rent | $1,619 | $1,933 |
| Median owner-occupied home value | $315,600 | $921,200 |
| State-tax treatment | Excluded | 9.3% simplified |
Time and daily routine
The commute-time distribution produces a weighted one-way estimate of about 26 minutes in Irving and 33 minutes in Los Angeles. This citywide estimate cannot capture a specific route, remote-work schedule, or transit choice, so the calculator converts it into an explicit time difference instead of hiding it in a subjective lifestyle score.
Decision checklist
- Median household income nearly equal
- Irving has lower rent and home values
- Irving has shorter average commute
- Texas has no state income tax; CA models 9.30%
What each city wins
Irving
Median rent is 23.7% of median income.. Watch higher home values may reflect long-term equity potential despite monthly costs..
Los Angeles
A large labor market with a household-income benchmark above New York's. Watch a $921,200 ownership benchmark and a conservative marginal california tax reference.
Frequently asked questions
Which city has more affordable housing relative to income?
Irving offers more affordable housing: median gross rent is $1,619 vs. LA’s $1,933, and median home value is $315,600 vs. LA’s $921,200, despite nearly identical median incomes around $81,800–$81,900.
How do commute times compare between the two cities?
Irving’s derived one-way commute estimate is 26 minutes, while Los Angeles averages 33 minutes — a 7-minute daily difference favoring Irving in time efficiency.
Source boundary: Core figures come from the 2024 ACS five-year tables linked on each city profile. Commute is derived from B08303 midpoint weighting. A state-tax value without an approved official reference is excluded and disclosed. This comparison becomes index-eligible only after its unique analysis clears the content quality gate.