Arlington TX vs Clearwater FL — 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%
Clearwater, FL
Florida · Population: 117,075
- Median HH Income$64,440
- Median Home Price$341,503
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+32.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Arlington
394,769
Arlington +
Clearwater
117,075
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Arlington
N/A
Clearwater
N/A
Median Age
Arlington
33.6
Arlington +
Clearwater
46.4
Foreign Born
Arlington
21.3%
Arlington +
Clearwater
17.0%
White
Arlington
43.2%
Clearwater
70.3%
Clearwater +
Black
Arlington
22.4%
Arlington +
Clearwater
10.2%
Asian
Arlington
7.3%
Arlington +
Clearwater
3.6%
Hispanic
Arlington
31.0%
Arlington +
Clearwater
17.1%
Spanish at Home
Arlington
N/A
Clearwater
N/A
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Clearwater, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 394,769 | 117,075 | Arlington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.6 | 46.4 | Arlington + |
| Foreign Born | 21.3% | 17.0% | Arlington + |
| White | 43.2% | 70.3% | Clearwater + |
| Black | 22.4% | 10.2% | Arlington + |
| Asian | 7.3% | 3.6% | Arlington + |
| Hispanic | 31.0% | 17.1% | Arlington + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Arlington
$73,519
Arlington +
Clearwater
$64,440
Per Capita Income
Arlington
$35,226
Clearwater
$42,934
Clearwater +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Arlington
$63,758
Clearwater
$65,328
Clearwater +
Unemployment Rate
Arlington
5.7%
Clearwater
4.7%
Clearwater +
Poverty Rate
Arlington
13.1%
Arlington +
Clearwater
15.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Arlington
33.1%
Arlington +
Clearwater
32.5%
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Clearwater, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $73,519 | $64,440 | Arlington + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,226 | $42,934 | Clearwater + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $65,328 | Clearwater + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7% | 4.7% | Clearwater + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.1% | 15.4% | Arlington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.1% | 32.5% | Arlington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Arlington
$313,683
Arlington +
Clearwater
$341,503
Homeownership Rate
Arlington
54.8%
Clearwater
59.1%
Clearwater +
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Clearwater, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $313,683 | $341,503 | Arlington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.8% | 59.1% | Clearwater + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Arlington
442
Clearwater
324
Clearwater +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Arlington
2339
Clearwater
1453
Clearwater +
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Clearwater, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 324 | Clearwater + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1453 | Clearwater + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Arlington
33.8%
Clearwater
33.3%
Clearwater +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Arlington
12.0%
Arlington +
Clearwater
13.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Arlington
18.2%
Clearwater
16.8%
Clearwater +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Arlington
18.4%
Clearwater
14.7%
Clearwater +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Arlington
16.0%
Clearwater
15.6%
Clearwater +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Arlington
13.3%
Arlington +
Clearwater
14.0%
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Clearwater, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.8% | 33.3% | Clearwater + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 13.5% | Arlington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.2% | 16.8% | Clearwater + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 14.7% | Clearwater + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 15.6% | Clearwater + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 14.0% | Arlington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Arlington
65.4°F
Arlington +
Clearwater
73.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Arlington
39.6 in
Arlington +
Clearwater
54.7 in
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Clearwater, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.4°F | 73.8°F | Arlington + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.6 in | 54.7 in | Arlington + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Arlington
9.2 µg/m³
Clearwater
7.2 µg/m³
Clearwater +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Arlington
55.0%
Clearwater
75.0%
Clearwater +
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Clearwater, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Clearwater + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Clearwater + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Arlington
29.0 min
Clearwater
25.3 min
Clearwater +
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Clearwater, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.0 min | 25.3 min | Clearwater + |
Which City is Right for You?
Arlington leads in median household income at $73,519, while arlington offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $313,683. On public safety, Clearwater is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Arlington. Clearwater has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Clearwater has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Clearwater scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.3%.
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