Arlington TX vs Carrollton TX — 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%
Carrollton, TX
Texas · Population: 132,741
- Median HH Income$99,115
- Median Home Price$408,531
- Unemployment3.2%
- Bachelor's+43.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Arlington
394,769
Arlington +
Carrollton
132,741
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Arlington
N/A
Carrollton
N/A
Median Age
Arlington
33.6
Arlington +
Carrollton
38.4
Foreign Born
Arlington
21.3%
Carrollton
26.9%
Carrollton +
White
Arlington
43.2%
Carrollton
52.1%
Carrollton +
Black
Arlington
22.4%
Arlington +
Carrollton
9.2%
Asian
Arlington
7.3%
Carrollton
16.4%
Carrollton +
Hispanic
Arlington
31.0%
Carrollton
31.8%
Carrollton +
Spanish at Home
Arlington
N/A
Carrollton
N/A
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Carrollton, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 394,769 | 132,741 | Arlington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.6 | 38.4 | Arlington + |
| Foreign Born | 21.3% | 26.9% | Carrollton + |
| White | 43.2% | 52.1% | Carrollton + |
| Black | 22.4% | 9.2% | Arlington + |
| Asian | 7.3% | 16.4% | Carrollton + |
| Hispanic | 31.0% | 31.8% | Carrollton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Arlington
$73,519
Carrollton
$99,115
Carrollton +
Per Capita Income
Arlington
$35,226
Carrollton
$50,000
Carrollton +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Arlington
$63,758
Carrollton
$63,758
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Arlington
5.7%
Carrollton
3.2%
Carrollton +
Poverty Rate
Arlington
13.1%
Carrollton
6.9%
Carrollton +
Bachelor's Degree+
Arlington
33.1%
Carrollton
43.3%
Carrollton +
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Carrollton, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $73,519 | $99,115 | Carrollton + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,226 | $50,000 | Carrollton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $63,758 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7% | 3.2% | Carrollton + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.1% | 6.9% | Carrollton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.1% | 43.3% | Carrollton + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Arlington
$313,683
Arlington +
Carrollton
$408,531
Homeownership Rate
Arlington
54.8%
Carrollton
58.3%
Carrollton +
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Carrollton, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $313,683 | $408,531 | Arlington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.8% | 58.3% | Carrollton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Arlington
442
Carrollton
442
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Arlington
2339
Carrollton
2339
Tie
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Carrollton, 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
Arlington
33.8%
Carrollton
32.2%
Carrollton +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Arlington
12.0%
Carrollton
10.8%
Carrollton +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Arlington
18.2%
Carrollton
15.3%
Carrollton +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Arlington
18.4%
Carrollton
14.8%
Carrollton +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Arlington
16.0%
Arlington +
Carrollton
16.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Arlington
13.3%
Carrollton
9.8%
Carrollton +
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Carrollton, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.8% | 32.2% | Carrollton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 10.8% | Carrollton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.2% | 15.3% | Carrollton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 14.8% | Carrollton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 16.9% | Arlington + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 9.8% | Carrollton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Arlington
65.4°F
Carrollton
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Arlington
39.6 in
Carrollton
N/A
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Carrollton, TX | 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
Carrollton
9.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Arlington
55.0%
Carrollton
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Carrollton, 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
Arlington
29.0 min
Carrollton
26.2 min
Carrollton +
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Carrollton, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.0 min | 26.2 min | Carrollton + |
Which City is Right for You?
Carrollton leads in median household income at $99,115, while arlington offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $313,683. On public safety, Carrollton is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Arlington. Carrollton has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, and Carrollton has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Carrollton scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.2%.
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