Arlington TX vs Cambridge MA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Arlington, TX
Texas · Population: 394,769
- Median HH Income$73,519
- Median Home Price$313,683
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+33.1%
Cambridge, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 117,794
- Median HH Income$126,469
- Median Home Price$1,041,988
- Unemployment3.4%
- Bachelor's+80.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Arlington
394,769
Arlington +
Cambridge
117,794
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Arlington
N/A
Cambridge
N/A
Median Age
Arlington
33.6
Cambridge
30.5
Cambridge +
Foreign Born
Arlington
21.3%
Cambridge
28.8%
Cambridge +
White
Arlington
43.2%
Cambridge
57.5%
Cambridge +
Black
Arlington
22.4%
Arlington +
Cambridge
10.5%
Asian
Arlington
7.3%
Cambridge
19.7%
Cambridge +
Hispanic
Arlington
31.0%
Arlington +
Cambridge
8.9%
Spanish at Home
Arlington
N/A
Cambridge
N/A
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Cambridge, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 394,769 | 117,794 | Arlington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.6 | 30.5 | Cambridge + |
| Foreign Born | 21.3% | 28.8% | Cambridge + |
| White | 43.2% | 57.5% | Cambridge + |
| Black | 22.4% | 10.5% | Arlington + |
| Asian | 7.3% | 19.7% | Cambridge + |
| Hispanic | 31.0% | 8.9% | Arlington + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Arlington
$73,519
Cambridge
$126,469
Cambridge +
Per Capita Income
Arlington
$35,226
Cambridge
$76,789
Cambridge +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Arlington
$63,758
Cambridge
$85,405
Cambridge +
Unemployment Rate
Arlington
5.7%
Cambridge
3.4%
Cambridge +
Poverty Rate
Arlington
13.1%
Cambridge
12.4%
Cambridge +
Bachelor's Degree+
Arlington
33.1%
Cambridge
80.2%
Cambridge +
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Cambridge, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $73,519 | $126,469 | Cambridge + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,226 | $76,789 | Cambridge + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $85,405 | Cambridge + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7% | 3.4% | Cambridge + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.1% | 12.4% | Cambridge + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.1% | 80.2% | Cambridge + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Arlington
$313,683
Arlington +
Cambridge
$1,041,988
Homeownership Rate
Arlington
54.8%
Arlington +
Cambridge
33.7%
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Cambridge, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $313,683 | $1,041,988 | Arlington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.8% | 33.7% | Arlington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Arlington
442
Cambridge
326
Cambridge +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Arlington
2339
Cambridge
1086
Cambridge +
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Cambridge, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 326 | Cambridge + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1086 | Cambridge + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Arlington
33.8%
Cambridge
21.9%
Cambridge +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Arlington
12.0%
Cambridge
5.9%
Cambridge +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Arlington
18.2%
Cambridge
16.0%
Cambridge +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Arlington
18.4%
Cambridge
3.8%
Cambridge +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Arlington
16.0%
Arlington +
Cambridge
18.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Arlington
13.3%
Cambridge
7.1%
Cambridge +
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Cambridge, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.8% | 21.9% | Cambridge + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 5.9% | Cambridge + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.2% | 16.0% | Cambridge + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 3.8% | Cambridge + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 18.5% | Arlington + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 7.1% | Cambridge + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Arlington
65.4°F
Cambridge
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Arlington
39.6 in
Cambridge
N/A
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Cambridge, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.4°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.6 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Arlington
9.2 µg/m³
Cambridge
7.2 µg/m³
Cambridge +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Arlington
55.0%
Cambridge
75.0%
Cambridge +
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Cambridge, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Cambridge + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Cambridge + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Arlington
29.0 min
Cambridge
28.3 min
Cambridge +
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Cambridge, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.0 min | 28.3 min | Cambridge + |
Which City is Right for You?
Cambridge leads in median household income at $126,469, while arlington offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $313,683. On public safety, Cambridge is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Arlington. Cambridge has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, and Cambridge has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Cambridge scores better with a lower obesity rate of 21.9%.
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