The 2026 Relocation Guide
Moving to Irving, TX
Irving is where DFW's corporate jobs actually are — the Las Colinas corridor hosts eight Fortune 500 headquarters plus major Microsoft, Verizon, and Wells Fargo campuses, so many buyers here trade a cross-metro commute for a five-minute drive. Lake Carolyn's urban center offers a rare Texas package: lakeside living, canal promenades, the Toyota Music Factory entertainment district, and DART Orange Line rail straight to DFW Airport and downtown Dallas.
~257,000
Population
~$82,000
Median HH Income
~$350,000
Median Home
Dallas Co.
County
9/10
Coppell ISD
The Short Version
Why People Move to Irving
- 8 Fortune 500 HQs — one of America's biggest corporate headquarters hubs
- Wells Fargo's new $570M Las Colinas campus — 4,500 jobs (opened 2025)
- Lakeside urban living on Lake Carolyn — canals, gondolas, Water Street
- DART Orange Line — rail to DFW Airport and downtown Dallas, no car needed
- Valley Ranch (75063) buyers can land top-rated Coppell ISD schools
Getting Around
Commutes & Highways
- 5–10 minutes to DFW International Airport
- 15–20 minutes to downtown Dallas via SH-114/183
- DART Orange Line rail to DFW Terminal A and downtown Dallas
- ~25 minutes to Plano's Legacy West via PGBT
Moving from Out of State?
What Your Money Buys in Irving
The estimated median home value in Irving is ~$350,000. Here's how that compares to the metros our relocating buyers most often arrive from — and Texas has no state income tax.
San Jose / Silicon Valley
CA income tax up to 13.3%
$1.5M median
≈4.3× Irving's median
San Francisco
CA income tax up to 13.3%
$1.2M median
≈3.4× Irving's median
Los Angeles
CA income tax up to 13.3%
$1.0M median
≈2.9× Irving's median
Seattle
WA — no income tax
$850K median
≈2.4× Irving's median
New York City
NY income tax up to 10.9%
$800K median
≈2.3× Irving's median
Austin
TX — no income tax
$550K median
≈1.6× Irving's median
Approximate metro median sale prices, mid-2026. Live Irving market data from NTREIS MLS above.
The Real Monthly Number
Owning the Median Irving Home
Texas trades income tax for higher property tax — around 2.2% effective in Dallas County. Budget with the full picture:
Estimate on the ~$350,000 median — not a quote. Homestead exemptions lower the tax bill for primary residences; HOA dues vary by community.
Where to Live
Irving Communities Relocating Buyers Shortlist
Valley Ranch
Split schools — verify Coppell ISD vs CFB ISD by addressIrving's canal-lined master-planned classic — parts in Coppell ISD
$475K–$730KHackberry Creek
Guard-gated golf communityGuard-gated country-club living in Las Colinas
$700K–$925K+University Hills
Las Colinas' custom luxury enclave on hilly, wooded terrain
$625K–$850KHillside at Las Colinas
Townhome / condo communityLock-and-leave townhomes steps from Toyota Music Factory
$550K–$680KGrand Treviso
High-rise condominiumLuxury high-rise condos on Lake Carolyn
$210K–$725KOutdoors
Parks & Trails
- •Campion Trail — 22+ mile Trinity River greenbelt
- •Lake Carolyn waterfront & promenade
- •Levy Event Plaza on Lake Carolyn
- •Centennial Park
- •Fritz Park
- •Trinity View Park
With Kids
Family Life in Irving
- •Gondola cruises & paddleboarding on Lake Carolyn
- •Movies & concerts at Toyota Music Factory
- •Family classes & JumpstART programs at Irving Arts Center
- •Biking the Campion Trail greenbelt
- •Cimarron Park Recreation Center & aquatic center
- •Mustang Park Recreation Center in Valley Ranch
Step by Step
The Out-of-State Relocation Checklist
- 1
Take a scouting trip
Two days is enough: drive the neighborhoods at commute hour, walk the downtown, and visit a school pickup line. Maps lie about feel.
- 2
Get pre-approved with a Texas-savvy lender
Texas escrows are dominated by property tax, not income tax — make sure your payment estimate includes the county's ~2%+ effective rate so the number doesn't move later.
- 3
Pick your school attendance zones first
District boundaries — and campus assignments within a district — drive DFW resale values. Verify the exact address, not the city.
- 4
Shortlist 2–3 communities
Master-planned communities differ more in HOA, amenities, and builder mix than in the homes themselves. Tour the amenity center, not just the model.
- 5
Write the offer with local norms
Texas uses an option period (a paid few days for inspections) and title policy customs that surprise out-of-state buyers. A local agent handles both.
- 6
Inspect for Texas-specific items
Foundation movement (clay soil), roof hail history, and HVAC age matter more here than what you inspected for on the coasts.
- 7
Close and file your homestead exemption
It caps assessed-value growth at 10%/year and cuts the tax bill on your primary residence — file with the county appraisal district after closing; it's free.
- 8
Settle in
Texas gives you 90 days for a driver's license and 30 for vehicle registration. Utilities are competitive-choice in most of DFW — shop the rate, don't default.
Common Questions
Moving to Irving FAQ
Is Irving, TX a good place to move to?
Irving is where DFW's corporate jobs actually are — the Las Colinas corridor hosts eight Fortune 500 headquarters plus major Microsoft, Verizon, and Wells Fargo campuses, so many buyers here trade a cross-metro commute for a five-minute drive. Lake Carolyn's urban center offers a rare Texas package: lakeside living, canal promenades, the Toyota Music Factory entertainment district, and DART Orange Line rail straight to DFW Airport and downtown Dallas. Top reasons buyers choose it: 8 Fortune 500 HQs — one of America's biggest corporate headquarters hubs; Wells Fargo's new $570M Las Colinas campus — 4,500 jobs (opened 2025); Lakeside urban living on Lake Carolyn — canals, gondolas, Water Street.
How much does it cost to live in Irving?
The estimated median home value is ~$350,000 with a median household income of ~$82,000. Texas has no state income tax; budget for a ~2% effective property tax instead (a homestead exemption reduces it on your primary residence).
What are the best neighborhoods in Irving?
Popular communities include Valley Ranch, Hackberry Creek, University Hills, Hillside at Las Colinas — each has its own page with live listings, price ranges, and amenities.
What is the commute like from Irving?
5–10 minutes to DFW International Airport; 15–20 minutes to downtown Dallas via SH-114/183; DART Orange Line rail to DFW Terminal A and downtown Dallas.
What school district serves Irving?
Coppell ISD (GreatSchools 9/10), with portions served by Carrollton-Farmers Branch ISD, Irving ISD. Verify the exact address before you buy — boundaries matter more than city limits.
Relocating to Irving?
I work with out-of-state buyers every week — video tours, school-zone guidance, and a lender bench that understands relocation timelines. The first call is free.