Cost of Living: Irvine, CA vs Carrollton, TX (2026)

Irvine

California
256
VS

Carrollton

Texas
116

Irvine is 121% more expensive than Carrollton.

$2,893/mo ↑ 73%
Median Rent
$1,674/mo ↓ 42%
$129,647/yr ↑ 31%
Median Income
$99,115/yr ↓ 24%
$1,115,400 ↑ 215%
Home Value
$353,600 ↓ 68%
$2,904/mo ↑ 72%
Owner Costs
$1,689/mo ↓ 42%
308,160
Population
132,741

Tax Comparison

13.3%
Income Tax
0%
7.25%
State Sales Tax
6.25%
0.71%
Property Tax
1.6%

Affordability

26.8%
rent-to-income
Affordability
20.3%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Irvine, CA and Carrollton, TX, the overall cost of living indices are 256 and 116 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,219/month cheaper in Carrollton, saving renters about $14,628/year.

Median household income is $30,532/year higher in Irvine. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Irvine is $1,115,400 compared to $353,600 in Carrollton.

Texas has no state income tax, giving Carrollton residents a significant tax advantage over California's 13.3% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Irvine vs Carrollton — common questions

Is Irvine or Carrollton cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Carrollton is cheaper to live in with an index of 116 compared to 256 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Irvine and Carrollton?
Median rent in Irvine is $2,893/month and in Carrollton it's $1,674/month — a difference of $1,219/month.
Which city has higher income, Irvine or Carrollton?
Median household income is $129,647 in Irvine and $99,115 in Carrollton. Median household income is $30,532/year higher in Irvine.
How do taxes compare between California and Texas?
California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax. Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax.
Should I move to Irvine or Carrollton?
It depends on your priorities. Irvine has a cost index of 256 with median rent of $2,893/mo, while Carrollton has a cost index of 116 with rent of $1,674/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Irvine details → View Carrollton details →

More Comparisons

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