Arlington TX vs Dallas 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%
Dallas, TX
Texas · Population: 1,299,553
- Median HH Income$67,760
- Median Home Price$311,957
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+37.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Arlington
394,769
Dallas
1,299,553
Dallas +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Arlington
N/A
Dallas
N/A
Median Age
Arlington
33.6
Dallas
33.4
Dallas +
Foreign Born
Arlington
21.3%
Dallas
23.4%
Dallas +
White
Arlington
43.2%
Arlington +
Dallas
41.9%
Black
Arlington
22.4%
Dallas
23.7%
Dallas +
Asian
Arlington
7.3%
Arlington +
Dallas
3.7%
Hispanic
Arlington
31.0%
Dallas
41.9%
Dallas +
Spanish at Home
Arlington
N/A
Dallas
N/A
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Dallas, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 394,769 | 1,299,553 | Dallas + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.6 | 33.4 | Dallas + |
| Foreign Born | 21.3% | 23.4% | Dallas + |
| White | 43.2% | 41.9% | Arlington + |
| Black | 22.4% | 23.7% | Dallas + |
| Asian | 7.3% | 3.7% | Arlington + |
| Hispanic | 31.0% | 41.9% | Dallas + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Arlington
$73,519
Arlington +
Dallas
$67,760
Per Capita Income
Arlington
$35,226
Dallas
$44,138
Dallas +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Arlington
$63,758
Dallas
$63,758
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Arlington
5.7%
Dallas
4.9%
Dallas +
Poverty Rate
Arlington
13.1%
Arlington +
Dallas
17.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Arlington
33.1%
Dallas
37.4%
Dallas +
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Dallas, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $73,519 | $67,760 | Arlington + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,226 | $44,138 | Dallas + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $63,758 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7% | 4.9% | Dallas + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.1% | 17.2% | Arlington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.1% | 37.4% | Dallas + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Arlington
$313,683
Dallas
$311,957
Dallas +
Homeownership Rate
Arlington
54.8%
Arlington +
Dallas
42.4%
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Dallas, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $313,683 | $311,957 | Dallas + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.8% | 42.4% | Arlington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Arlington
442
Dallas
442
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Arlington
2339
Dallas
2339
Tie
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Dallas, 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%
Arlington +
Dallas
36.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Arlington
12.0%
Arlington +
Dallas
12.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Arlington
18.2%
Dallas
17.8%
Dallas +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Arlington
18.4%
Arlington +
Dallas
22.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Arlington
16.0%
Arlington +
Dallas
17.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Arlington
13.3%
Dallas
13.0%
Dallas +
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Dallas, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.8% | 36.8% | Arlington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 12.4% | Arlington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.2% | 17.8% | Dallas + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 22.7% | Arlington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 17.4% | Arlington + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 13.0% | Dallas + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Arlington
65.4°F
Arlington +
Dallas
65.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Arlington
39.6 in
Arlington +
Dallas
40.6 in
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Dallas, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.4°F | 65.9°F | Arlington + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.6 in | 40.6 in | Arlington + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Arlington
9.2 µg/m³
Dallas
9.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Arlington
55.0%
Dallas
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Dallas, 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
Dallas
28.3 min
Dallas +
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Dallas, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.0 min | 28.3 min | Dallas + |
Which City is Right for You?
Arlington leads in median household income at $73,519, while dallas offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $311,957. On public safety, Dallas is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Arlington. Dallas has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Dallas has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Arlington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.8%.
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