Anaheim vs. Irving – Where is the best place to live?
Between the two cities, the best place is Irving. Anaheim is expensive. Irving is not as costly. Plus, in Irving, there is no state income tax. There are also several Fortune 500 companies in Irving. Plus, you have access to booming cities as neighbors.
Naturally, there will always be downfalls to living in Irving. A couple of them are the heat and heavy traffic you will encounter when in the city.
On the other hand, the weather in Anaheim is excellent. It is also home to Disneyland. Plus, it is home to multiple professional sports teams.
But the housing costs in Anaheim can break your bank. And that is a significant downfall.
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What are the pros and cons of Anaheim vs. Irving?
Anaheim boasts of great weather and Disneyland. But the cost of living here is higher. On the other hand, we have Irving, which has no state income tax. It also has jobs offered by Fortune 500 companies.
If you only look at the pros and cons, you will see why moving to Irving is advantageous.
First off is the availability of jobs.
Thanks to several Fortune500 companies that call Irving home, you have access to numerous jobs in the city.
Anaheim also has jobs available for everyone. Disneyland made sure of that. Businesses taking advantage of the touristy city ensured that.
But Anaheim is more expensive. And compared to Irving’s absence of state tax, the advantage of moving to Anaheim is dimming.
What else makes Irving the best choice?
Read on to find out.
Anaheim Living
Great weather, a sports team, and a wide array of outdoor activities; what’s there not to love in Anaheim?
Pros
Here are the things I am sure you will like about Anaheim
- Ideal Climate
- Sports
- Outdoor Activities
Anaheim has a Steppe climate. As such, you can expect your weather always to be warm and dry almost all year round.
The months from May to August are the perfect months to be out and about. The reason for this is because of the sunny and warm weather.
Most days outside the May to August period should be mild and enjoyable.
The summers can be clear. The winters can be a bit cloudy.
Anaheim sees the hot season from July through September.
Anaheim rarely goes below 40 degrees. It does not even have snow.
It may snow in the mountains nearby. But that is something for those who want to ski.
Rainfall is also rare because the city gets about 280 days of sunshine per year.
If you are a sports fan, Anaheim is perfect for you.
The city is home to many professional sports teams. The town also has amateur leagues of every sport.
And so, whatever sport you love, Anaheim has a team for it.
Hockey fans can cheer for the Anaheim Ducks. Baseball lovers can go back up to the Los Angeles Angels.
These teams, and a lot more, make a living in Anaheim ideal for sports fans.
The city life is exciting.
But once in a while, it is also essential to go ahead and explore what nature has to offer.
Anaheim has many parks. It also has walking trails, lakes, and playgrounds. Aside from these, Anaheim has nature preserves, skate parks, tennis courts, and even dog parks where you can walk your dogs for some fresh air.
When you live in Anaheim, you would have many opportunities to spend your time outdoors.
Cons
Not everything in Anaheim is rosy. It also has a few challenges that its residents have to deal with.
Here they are.
- The Cost of Living
- Dependent on Tourists
- Irving Living
When you talk about a city in California, one thing always comes to mind. And that is the cost of living.
California is always expensive.
But to be fair with Anaheim, it is a bit cheaper than its neighbors. But it has housing costs that are too expensive.
Anaheim’s housing and rental costs are more expensive than the national average by more than 100%.
But aside from the housing costs, most are also above average. The cost of living index of the city sits at 152. That means the city’s cost of living is higher than the national average by 52%.
The latest numbers only state that Anaheim has 357,000 residents.
But every year, about 25 million people from all over the world visit the city. That only means that at each point in time, there are about 68,500 tourists that visit the city.
The dependence on tourism can pose problems in the long run.
For example, when there are unforeseen circumstances, it could affect the influx of tourists, thus impacting the economy.
Living in Irving comes with many advantages like the city is home to several Fortune500 companies. It is also close to two booming towns like, Dallas and Fort Worth.
On the other hand, summer can be harsh. Traffic can also be bad.
Pros
Here are a few advantages of living in Irving.
- Fortune500
- Tax Rates
- Proximity to Booming Cities
Irving is where you will find the DFW metroplex. It is a booming hub for several industries and other large companies.
Recently, we saw several giants leave California to transfer to business-friendly states. Some of these companies went ahead to relocate to Irving.
As of this time, Irving is home to more than 8,500 businesses. It is also a perfect destination for foreign business investments.
In line with the businesses and investments, the area saw an increase in job growth of about 3.28%. The projected job growth is at 44.13% in the next ten years.
If you are not familiar with Texas and taxes, the exciting news is that the state does not tax its residents on income.
There are only seven in the country, and Texas is one.
Also, there are low corporate tax rates here. And this is one of the many reasons many Fortune500 companies chose to put up their businesses in Irving.
Irving sits close to two major Texas cities.
One of these two is in Dallas. The other is Fort Worth.
Being close to these two giants has a lot of advantages. Residents who feel like going on a day trip can quickly drive to either of these two cities for a shopping spree. They can also visit for some entertainment.
The proximity to these two cities also provides more job opportunities for those who wish to work there.
Cons
Naturally, there are downsides to Irving that you should know.
Here are a few of them.
- Weather
- Traffic
Texas is famous for its humid summers. The summers here can be hot and uncomfortable.
It can be challenging, especially if you have recently relocated from a state with milder climates.
The warm months are from July to August. Temperatures during these months reach the upper 90s. Sometimes, it can even get triple digits.
Aside from the high temperatures, there is also humidity to think of.
Make sure to have your place air-conditioned.
One of the obvious downsides to living in big metros is the traffic.
They have great public transportation options. But these cities, aside from their public transport, are also car-dependent cities.
As of this time, about 80% of the population use cars to go places.
Irving or Anaheim – Which is cheaper?
When it comes to the overall cost of living, Irving is cheaper than Anaheim. Anaheim is 52.2% more expensive than the US average. Irving is 0.6% more expensive than the national average.
| Living Expenses | Anaheim | Irving |
| Housing | 257.1 | 93.9 |
| Food & Groceries | 102.5 | 99.6 |
| Health | 95.9 | 94 |
| Utilities | 97.4 | 100.2 |
| Transportation | 118 | 111.2 |
Data is based on 100 = US National Average
>100 means more than the national average
<100 means cheaper than the national average
Housing/Rent
When it comes to housing, Anaheim seems to be one of the most expensive in the country.
In Anaheim, housing and rental costs soar to about 157.1% more than the national average. And if you are planning to move to another city, this aspect of the budget is essential.
On the other hand, Irving’s housing costs are 6.1% below the national average.
If you compare both cities, the differences can be glaring.
Utility Costs
In utility costs, Anaheim is cheaper than Irving.
Irving is 0.2% higher than the national average, while Anaheim is cheaper by 2.6%.
The difference between the two cities in utility costs is not that significant. While something you need to consider, this aspect cannot be essential for your decision.
Talking of utility costs, we mean the costs of electricity, heating, garbage disposal, and the like.
The difference between the two cities in utility costs may not be much. But over time, this difference will show. And these are essential costs that should always be part of your budget.
Anaheim is cheaper than Irving in this aspect.
Food and Groceries
Food and groceries can make or break your monthly budget.
Irving is cheaper and sits 0.4% below the national average in food and groceries, for starters.
On the other hand, Anaheim is more expensive than the national average by 2.5%.
When it comes to food and groceries, Irving is cheaper.
It should also be more evident, especially if you cook from home.
Transportation Costs
Both cities are more expensive than the national average regarding transportation costs.
But the difference is that Irving is below the national average while Anaheim is more expensive than the US.
Irving is only 11.2% more affordable than the national average. On the other hand, Anaheim is 18% more expensive than the US average.
This part of your budget is essential because this part of the budget ensures you get to work or school on time.
Healthcare
Irving is still more affordable than Anaheim when it comes to the cost of healthcare.
From doctor’s fees to medicines for colds, Irving is more affordable.
Between the two cities, you would most likely spend less in Irving.
The cost of healthcare is cheaper in Anaheim than the national average by 4.1%. On the other hand, Irving is more affordable than the national average by 6%.
Healthcare is an essential aspect of your budget.
It should take center stage when finalizing your budget.
Is Irving bigger than Anaheim?
In terms of land area, Irving is bigger than Anaheim. Irving has a land area of 67.97 square miles. Anaheim’s land area is 50.3 square miles.
When it comes to their populations, Irving has fewer residents than Anaheim.
As of the end of 2021, Irving only has 260,000 residents. Anaheim has more with 349,000.
Also, the population density of Irving is much smaller than in Anaheim. In Anaheim, the population density is at 6,949 people per square mile. In Irving, it is at 3,832 people per square mile.
Is Irving safer than Anaheim?
In both cities, crime rates are low. But when comparing the two, the crimes in Irving are lower. In a nutshell, people in Irving feel safer than those in Anaheim.
First of all, is the crime index.
Irving has a low crime index of 30.99%. This number means that more and more people in Irving feel safe than those in Anaheim.
Don’t get me wrong.
Anaheim is also safe, with a crime index of 46.76%. But Irving is safer.
People in Irving feel safer than those that are in Anaheim.
Most crimes in Anaheim are at moderate levels. But if there are crimes in high percentages, these are property crimes like vandalism and theft. Anaheim has its numbers sitting at 61.11%
It is already a significant percentage by itself. But if you compare it with Irving’s, the latter is much lower with 34.38%.
Even crimes related to drug use are lower in Irving at 28.12%. The same type of crime is at 69.12% in Anaheim.
Overall, Anaheim has higher crime rates than Irving.
Is Anaheim better than Irving?
Irving is better than Anaheim in many aspects. The most crucial factor to think of is the income tax which is inexistent. Also, it is much safer in Irving than in Anaheim. And that matters.
Choosing between the two cities is easy.
Anaheim is more expensive compared to Irving.
Both of them are great. But if you explore the other factors, Irving is the obvious choice.
Irving has more jobs for you. And these jobs are not dependent on tourism alone. Aside from the jobs, the city is cheaper than Anaheim. Plus, it has less crime.
If you and I talk of the disadvantages of living in Irving, it is just the harsh summers and the humidity.
And these are challenges I am sure many of us can live with.
How about you?
Would you also choose Irving over Anaheim?
Let me know.