Arlington TX vs Columbia SC — 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%
Columbia, SC
South Carolina · Population: 138,019
- Median HH Income$55,653
- Median Home Price$229,993
- Unemployment7.6%
- Bachelor's+46.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Arlington
394,769
Arlington +
Columbia
138,019
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Arlington
N/A
Columbia
N/A
Median Age
Arlington
33.6
Columbia
28.7
Columbia +
Foreign Born
Arlington
21.3%
Arlington +
Columbia
5.1%
White
Arlington
43.2%
Columbia
49.9%
Columbia +
Black
Arlington
22.4%
Columbia
39.5%
Columbia +
Asian
Arlington
7.3%
Arlington +
Columbia
2.7%
Hispanic
Arlington
31.0%
Arlington +
Columbia
5.7%
Spanish at Home
Arlington
N/A
Columbia
N/A
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Columbia, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 394,769 | 138,019 | Arlington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.6 | 28.7 | Columbia + |
| Foreign Born | 21.3% | 5.1% | Arlington + |
| White | 43.2% | 49.9% | Columbia + |
| Black | 22.4% | 39.5% | Columbia + |
| Asian | 7.3% | 2.7% | Arlington + |
| Hispanic | 31.0% | 5.7% | Arlington + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Arlington
$73,519
Arlington +
Columbia
$55,653
Per Capita Income
Arlington
$35,226
Columbia
$38,087
Columbia +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Arlington
$63,758
Arlington +
Columbia
$54,550
Unemployment Rate
Arlington
5.7%
Arlington +
Columbia
7.6%
Poverty Rate
Arlington
13.1%
Arlington +
Columbia
23.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Arlington
33.1%
Columbia
46.1%
Columbia +
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Columbia, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $73,519 | $55,653 | Arlington + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,226 | $38,087 | Columbia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $54,550 | Arlington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7% | 7.6% | Arlington + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.1% | 23.3% | Arlington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.1% | 46.1% | Columbia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Arlington
$313,683
Columbia
$229,993
Columbia +
Homeownership Rate
Arlington
54.8%
Arlington +
Columbia
47.3%
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Columbia, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $313,683 | $229,993 | Columbia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.8% | 47.3% | Arlington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Arlington
442
Columbia
398
Columbia +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Arlington
2339
Columbia
1999
Columbia +
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Columbia, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 398 | Columbia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1999 | Columbia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Arlington
33.8%
Arlington +
Columbia
34.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Arlington
12.0%
Arlington +
Columbia
12.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Arlington
18.2%
Arlington +
Columbia
19.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Arlington
18.4%
Columbia
13.2%
Columbia +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Arlington
16.0%
Arlington +
Columbia
17.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Arlington
13.3%
Columbia
13.0%
Columbia +
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Columbia, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.8% | 34.4% | Arlington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 12.1% | Arlington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.2% | 19.2% | Arlington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 13.2% | Columbia + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 17.7% | Arlington + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 13.0% | Columbia + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Arlington
65.4°F
Arlington +
Columbia
66.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Arlington
39.6 in
Arlington +
Columbia
46.3 in
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Columbia, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.4°F | 66.7°F | Arlington + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.6 in | 46.3 in | Arlington + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Arlington
9.2 µg/m³
Columbia
8.6 µg/m³
Columbia +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Arlington
55.0%
Columbia
75.0%
Columbia +
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Columbia, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | Columbia + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Columbia + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Arlington
29.0 min
Columbia
18.6 min
Columbia +
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Columbia, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.0 min | 18.6 min | Columbia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Arlington leads in median household income at $73,519, while columbia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $229,993. On public safety, Columbia is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Arlington. Arlington has a lower unemployment rate at 5.7%, and Columbia has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Arlington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.8%.
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