Arlington TX vs Chicago IL — 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%
Chicago, IL
Illinois · Population: 2,707,648
- Median HH Income$75,134
- Median Home Price$324,183
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+43.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Arlington
394,769
Chicago
2,707,648
Chicago +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Arlington
N/A
Chicago
N/A
Median Age
Arlington
33.6
Arlington +
Chicago
35.7
Foreign Born
Arlington
21.3%
Arlington +
Chicago
20.7%
White
Arlington
43.2%
Arlington +
Chicago
39.1%
Black
Arlington
22.4%
Chicago
28.4%
Chicago +
Asian
Arlington
7.3%
Arlington +
Chicago
7.1%
Hispanic
Arlington
31.0%
Arlington +
Chicago
29.6%
Spanish at Home
Arlington
N/A
Chicago
N/A
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 394,769 | 2,707,648 | Chicago + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.6 | 35.7 | Arlington + |
| Foreign Born | 21.3% | 20.7% | Arlington + |
| White | 43.2% | 39.1% | Arlington + |
| Black | 22.4% | 28.4% | Chicago + |
| Asian | 7.3% | 7.1% | Arlington + |
| Hispanic | 31.0% | 29.6% | Arlington + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Arlington
$73,519
Chicago
$75,134
Chicago +
Per Capita Income
Arlington
$35,226
Chicago
$48,148
Chicago +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Arlington
$63,758
Chicago
$68,110
Chicago +
Unemployment Rate
Arlington
5.7%
Arlington +
Chicago
7.9%
Poverty Rate
Arlington
13.1%
Arlington +
Chicago
16.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Arlington
33.1%
Chicago
43.3%
Chicago +
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $73,519 | $75,134 | Chicago + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,226 | $48,148 | Chicago + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $68,110 | Chicago + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7% | 7.9% | Arlington + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.1% | 16.8% | Arlington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.1% | 43.3% | Chicago + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Arlington
$313,683
Arlington +
Chicago
$324,183
Homeownership Rate
Arlington
54.8%
Arlington +
Chicago
45.5%
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $313,683 | $324,183 | Arlington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.8% | 45.5% | Arlington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Arlington
442
Chicago
344
Chicago +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Arlington
2339
Chicago
1842
Chicago +
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 344 | Chicago + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1842 | Chicago + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Arlington
33.8%
Chicago
32.6%
Chicago +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Arlington
12.0%
Chicago
12.0%
Tie
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Arlington
18.2%
Chicago
16.0%
Chicago +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Arlington
18.4%
Chicago
13.6%
Chicago +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Arlington
16.0%
Arlington +
Chicago
19.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Arlington
13.3%
Chicago
11.9%
Chicago +
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.8% | 32.6% | Chicago + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 12.0% | Tie |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.2% | 16.0% | Chicago + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 13.6% | Chicago + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 19.0% | Arlington + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 11.9% | Chicago + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Arlington
65.4°F
Chicago
49.2°F
Chicago +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Arlington
39.6 in
Chicago
37.8 in
Chicago +
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.4°F | 49.2°F | Chicago + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.6 in | 37.8 in | Chicago + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Arlington
9.2 µg/m³
Arlington +
Chicago
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Arlington
55.0%
Chicago
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Arlington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Arlington
29.0 min
Arlington +
Chicago
36.5 min
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.0 min | 36.5 min | Arlington + |
Which City is Right for You?
Chicago leads in median household income at $75,134, while arlington offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $313,683. On public safety, Chicago is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Arlington. Arlington has a lower unemployment rate at 5.7%, and Arlington has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Chicago scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.6%.
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