Allen TX vs Arlington TX — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Allen, TX
Texas · Population: 107,684
- Median HH Income$129,130
- Median Home Price$502,170
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+56.1%
Arlington, TX
Texas · Population: 394,769
- Median HH Income$73,519
- Median Home Price$313,683
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+33.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Allen
107,684
Arlington
394,769
Arlington +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Allen
N/A
Arlington
N/A
Median Age
Allen
38.5
Arlington
33.6
Arlington +
Foreign Born
Allen
21.9%
Allen +
Arlington
21.3%
White
Allen
55.7%
Allen +
Arlington
43.2%
Black
Allen
10.6%
Arlington
22.4%
Arlington +
Asian
Allen
19.6%
Allen +
Arlington
7.3%
Hispanic
Allen
11.8%
Arlington
31.0%
Arlington +
Spanish at Home
Allen
N/A
Arlington
N/A
| Metric | Allen, TX | Arlington, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,684 | 394,769 | Arlington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.5 | 33.6 | Arlington + |
| Foreign Born | 21.9% | 21.3% | Allen + |
| White | 55.7% | 43.2% | Allen + |
| Black | 10.6% | 22.4% | Arlington + |
| Asian | 19.6% | 7.3% | Allen + |
| Hispanic | 11.8% | 31.0% | Arlington + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Allen
$129,130
Allen +
Arlington
$73,519
Per Capita Income
Allen
$54,853
Allen +
Arlington
$35,226
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Allen
$63,758
Arlington
$63,758
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Allen
4.3%
Allen +
Arlington
5.7%
Poverty Rate
Allen
4.8%
Allen +
Arlington
13.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Allen
56.1%
Allen +
Arlington
33.1%
| Metric | Allen, TX | Arlington, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $129,130 | $73,519 | Allen + |
| Per Capita Income | $54,853 | $35,226 | Allen + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $63,758 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 5.7% | Allen + |
| Poverty Rate | 4.8% | 13.1% | Allen + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 56.1% | 33.1% | Allen + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Allen
$502,170
Arlington
$313,683
Arlington +
Homeownership Rate
Allen
69.8%
Allen +
Arlington
54.8%
| Metric | Allen, TX | Arlington, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $502,170 | $313,683 | Arlington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 69.8% | 54.8% | Allen + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allen
442
Arlington
442
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allen
2339
Arlington
2339
Tie
| Metric | Allen, TX | Arlington, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 442 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2339 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Allen
31.7%
Allen +
Arlington
33.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Allen
9.3%
Allen +
Arlington
12.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Allen
14.6%
Allen +
Arlington
18.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Allen
8.9%
Allen +
Arlington
18.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Allen
17.4%
Arlington
16.0%
Arlington +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Allen
9.2%
Allen +
Arlington
13.3%
| Metric | Allen, TX | Arlington, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.7% | 33.8% | Allen + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 12.0% | Allen + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.6% | 18.2% | Allen + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.9% | 18.4% | Allen + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.4% | 16.0% | Arlington + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 13.3% | Allen + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allen
74.6°F
Arlington
65.4°F
Arlington +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allen
19.5 in
Allen +
Arlington
39.6 in
| Metric | Allen, TX | Arlington, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 74.6°F | 65.4°F | Arlington + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 19.5 in | 39.6 in | Allen + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Allen
9.2 µg/m³
Arlington
9.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Allen
55.0%
Arlington
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Allen, TX | Arlington, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Allen
30.3 min
Arlington
29.0 min
Arlington +
| Metric | Allen, TX | Arlington, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.3 min | 29.0 min | Arlington + |
Which City is Right for You?
Allen leads in median household income at $129,130, while arlington offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $313,683. On public safety, Arlington is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Allen. Allen has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Arlington has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Allen scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.7%.
Compare More Cities
Allen, TX vs New York, NYAllen, TX vs Los Angeles, CAAllen, TX vs Chicago, ILAllen, TX vs Houston, TXAllen, TX vs Phoenix, AZAllen, TX vs Philadelphia, PA