Considering Living in Irving, TX? Here are 15 Pros and Cons About Life in the DFW Metroplex.

Living in Irving, TX, doesn’t have to break the bank — especially when you live in the affordable South Irving area.
(Credit: Kimberly Macye)

South Irving — Best for Affordability

For those who like their neighborhoods to come with a touch of history and are looking for a house outside the confines of a master-planned community, South Irving is an area that’s received a lot more attention in the last five years. This community is made up of mostly single-family homes and is a more affordable place for homebuyers and renters to settle down. The median home sale price in South Irving is $336,000 and the average rent is $1,325 (for a one-bedroom).

Central Irving — Best for Commuters

Bordered to the south by SH 183 and to the west by the DFW International Airport, Central Irving is perfectly situated to make commuting a breeze (by DFW standards). This area has many established residential neighborhoods with both single and multi-family housing options to choose from. And, while commuting is relatively easy from Central Irving, it may not be necessary. There are a variety of shops and services in the area, including grocery stores, doctor and dentist offices, and other private businesses.

4. Con: There Aren’t Many Single-Family Rental Properties

Young professionals sometimes flock to Dallas after living in Irving, TX, so rental properties tend to focus on tenants with shorter timelines. Because of this, there aren’t as many single-family rental properties in Irving — and, if there are, they’re snatched up quickly. However, there are plenty of multi-family rental opportunities, especially in Las Colinas and Valley Ranch. The average rent in Irving ranges between $1,275 for a studio and $2,100 for a 3-bedroom.

5: Pro: There Are Tons of Tech Opportunities

Irving is quietly positioning itself as a major player in the tech world, especially with companies like Edged US building massive, AI-ready data centers — a project city leaders say reinforces Irving's role as a tech and innovation hub. And it's not just the new guys; big names like AT&T and Microsoft also have a major presence in Irving. This tech growth brings a wave of opportunities, from the construction crews building these facilities to the engineers and IT professionals who will run them.

6: Con: Public Transportation Is Limited

Don’t want to drive a car? Living in Irving, TX, might not be right for you. While Irving does have public transit through DART, including light rail and the TRE commuter train, the system is currently facing some serious headwinds. Ridership has dropped significantly leading to bus route cuts. There’s been so much backlash over these changes that some argue Irving should stop relying on DART altogether and establish its own public transportation service. This hasn’t been settled yet, though, so you may want to hold onto your car if you’re moving to Irving, Texas.

There are plenty of quality schools for families living in Irving, TX.
(Credit: Carrollton-Farmers Branch ISD via Facebook)

7. Pro: Schools in Irving, TX, Are Top-Notch

There are three public school districts for those living in Irving, TX: Carrollton-Farmers Branch Independent School District, Irving Independent School District, and Coppell Independent School District. Two schools — Coppell High School and Pioneer Technology & Arts Academy – are included in Niche’s list of the top 15 public high schools in Texas.

For those interested in private education, some top-ranking Irving schools include: The Hockaday School (named the fourth-best private school in all of Texas by Niche), St. Mark’s School of Texas, and Greenhill School.

Once your kids have completed their K-12 education, they won’t have to go far. Irving is also home to the University of Dallas, which brings a lot of undergraduate and graduate students to the area.

8. Con: Summers Are More Than Steamy

Cold and windy winters. Hot and muggy summers. People living in Irving get to experience the good and bad of all four seasons. While those winter temps probably won’t dip far below freezing, you can expect summers to heat up into the 90s during July and August.

9. Pro: Live Music Is Easy To Find in Irving

Texans love good food and good music. And there’s no better place to get both than the Las Colinas Urban Center. Not only are there dozens of restaurants offering a variety of cuisines, but you can also hear some great live music at the Toyota Music Factory. For larger concerts at the Factory, there’s The Pavilion, a 250,000 square-foot development with an indoor-outdoor amphitheater. For smaller shows, there’s the Texas Lottery Plaza, an open-air venue.

10: Con: Tornadoes Are a Possibility

While the exact areas that make up "Tornado Alley" are up for debate, one fact that’s more widely accepted is that Texas is at the heart of it — and living in Irving, TX, is no exception. When warm, humid air from the Gulf of Mexico collides with cool air from the Rockies and dry desert air, it creates a perfect storm… literally. This volatile mix generates the severe thunderstorms that can produce tornadoes. In fact, just last year, an EF-1 tornado touched down in Irving, causing significant damage.

11: Pro: Nature Lovers Will Feel Right at Home

If you’re the outdoorsy type, Irving has tons to offer. Take a walk on the Campion Trails, a 22-mile greenbelt, or try some stand-up paddling in Lake Carolyn. There are also five 18-hole golf courses in the area if you want to hit the links.

12: Con: Property Taxes Are Higher Than Average

The Irving, Texas, cost of living nearly matches the national index (100.2 and 100, respectively). While some aspects of living in Irving may be on the cheaper side, property taxes are not. The median Irving effective property tax rate is 1.69 percent, which is higher than the national median of 1.02 but very close to the Texas state median of 1.67.

People living in Irving, TX, get to experience the good and bad of all four seasons.
(Source: Las Colinas via Facebook)

13: Pro: Restaurants Are Deliciously Diverse

Irving has a wonderfully diverse population, and that means great things for those who enjoy culinary exploration. Just take it from this Austin native who wrote about a weekend of good eats in the Irving area. In the mood for some Latin treats? Try Argentina Bakery. Want BBQ with a Middle Eastern flair? Check out Kafi BBQ. No matter your craving, you can satisfy it while living in Irving, Texas.

14: Con: Fine Dining Is in Short Supply

Ok, hear us out. There are tons of great restaurants in Irving. But if you’re looking for Michelin-star meals, you’ll need to drive into Dallas. There are a few fine dining locations, like Sanjh, which is actually the only Indian fine dining establishment in the Metroplex, but as a whole, Irving’s restaurants are less about chasing stars and more about chasing flavors.

15: Pro: Air Travel Is Minutes Away

Living in Irving, TX, is great, but sometimes you want to get away and experience someplace new, right? Well, that’s easy to do when you’re close to DFW International Airport and Love Field. Heading to New York for an afternoon meeting or jetting off to Tokyo for vacation never felt more convenient. It's the kind of proximity that makes last-minute trips actually feasible and turns "we should visit" into "see you this weekend.”

Living in Irving, TX — FAQs

Q: Is Irving, Texas, a good place to live?
A: Yes, many people enjoy living in Irving, TX, because of its close proximity to Dallas, abundant job opportunities, and relatively affordable cost of living. It’s also a diverse and welcoming community.

Q: What is a good salary in Irving, Texas?
A: According to the MIT Living Wage Calculator, a single person would need to make almost $48,000 before taxes to make ends meet. To live comfortably, you’d want to make closer to $100,000 so you could cover basic needs plus have some extra for entertainment, travel, savings, etc. A high salary in Irving, TX, would be anything over $150,000 annually.

Q: Is Irving a wealthy area?
A: As a whole, Irving is not a particularly wealthy area, but it does have wealthy pockets, like Las Colinas. The median household income in Irving is almost $82,000, which is only slightly higher than the national median ($80,734).

Q: What is the crime rate in Irving, TX?
A: According to NeighborhoodScout, Irving is safer than 11 percent of U.S. cities. For reference, Dallas is safer than three percent. Based on the city’s property and violent crime rates, Niche gives Irving a C crime grade.

Moving to Irving, Texas, is more flexible with PODS on your side.
(Credit: cottonbro studio via Pexels)

Moving to Irving, Texas? Get Flexible Help From PODS.

Whether you’re relocating across the country or across the state, you can make your move to Irving, TX, flexible with PODS portable moving containers. Have a container delivered right to your driveway for convenient loading on your own schedule. There’s no need to rush, as one month’s storage is built into the cost of every move. PODS can even refer you to local packing and loading services to help with the heavy lifting.

Visit PODS online for a free local moving quote or call 877-350-7637 for long-distance moving.

LB Gabriel is a freelance writer and frequent PODS Blog contributor. When she’s not on a deadline, you can find her on a tennis court or golf course.

Editor’s note: For ease of reading, monthly rental prices were rounded to the nearest $25 and home values were rounded to the nearest $100. Home values in the millions were rounded to the nearest $100,000.

_{*This article was written on behalf of PODS Enterprises, LLC (“PODS”). PODS does not warrant the completeness or accuracy of any information contained in this article and disclaims any liability for reliance upon the content herein.}