Arlington TX vs Detroit MI — 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%
Detroit, MI
Michigan · Population: 636,644
- Median HH Income$39,575
- Median Home Price$76,488
- Unemployment14.1%
- Bachelor's+17.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Arlington
394,769
Detroit
636,644
Detroit +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Arlington
N/A
Detroit
N/A
Median Age
Arlington
33.6
Arlington +
Detroit
35.1
Foreign Born
Arlington
21.3%
Arlington +
Detroit
5.9%
White
Arlington
43.2%
Arlington +
Detroit
11.7%
Black
Arlington
22.4%
Detroit
76.8%
Detroit +
Asian
Arlington
7.3%
Arlington +
Detroit
1.6%
Hispanic
Arlington
31.0%
Arlington +
Detroit
8.0%
Spanish at Home
Arlington
N/A
Detroit
N/A
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Detroit, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 394,769 | 636,644 | Detroit + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.6 | 35.1 | Arlington + |
| Foreign Born | 21.3% | 5.9% | Arlington + |
| White | 43.2% | 11.7% | Arlington + |
| Black | 22.4% | 76.8% | Detroit + |
| Asian | 7.3% | 1.6% | Arlington + |
| Hispanic | 31.0% | 8.0% | Arlington + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Arlington
$73,519
Arlington +
Detroit
$39,575
Per Capita Income
Arlington
$35,226
Arlington +
Detroit
$24,029
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Arlington
$63,758
Arlington +
Detroit
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Arlington
5.7%
Arlington +
Detroit
14.1%
Poverty Rate
Arlington
13.1%
Arlington +
Detroit
31.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Arlington
33.1%
Arlington +
Detroit
17.6%
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Detroit, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $73,519 | $39,575 | Arlington + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,226 | $24,029 | Arlington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $58,052 | Arlington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7% | 14.1% | Arlington + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.1% | 31.5% | Arlington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.1% | 17.6% | Arlington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Arlington
$313,683
Detroit
$76,488
Detroit +
Homeownership Rate
Arlington
54.8%
Arlington +
Detroit
49.7%
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Detroit, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $313,683 | $76,488 | Detroit + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.8% | 49.7% | Arlington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Arlington
442
Arlington +
Detroit
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Arlington
2339
Detroit
1590
Detroit +
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Detroit, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 471 | Arlington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1590 | Detroit + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Arlington
33.8%
Arlington +
Detroit
45.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Arlington
12.0%
Arlington +
Detroit
19.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Arlington
18.2%
Arlington +
Detroit
22.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Arlington
18.4%
Detroit
11.6%
Detroit +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Arlington
16.0%
Detroit
11.8%
Detroit +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Arlington
13.3%
Arlington +
Detroit
21.8%
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Detroit, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.8% | 45.6% | Arlington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 19.2% | Arlington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.2% | 22.6% | Arlington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 11.6% | Detroit + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 11.8% | Detroit + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 21.8% | Arlington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Arlington
65.4°F
Detroit
50.3°F
Detroit +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Arlington
39.6 in
Detroit
31.3 in
Detroit +
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Detroit, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.4°F | 50.3°F | Detroit + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.6 in | 31.3 in | Detroit + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Arlington
9.2 µg/m³
Arlington +
Detroit
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Arlington
55.0%
Detroit
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Detroit, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Arlington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Arlington
29.0 min
Detroit
27.3 min
Detroit +
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Detroit, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.0 min | 27.3 min | Detroit + |
Which City is Right for You?
Arlington leads in median household income at $73,519, while detroit offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $76,488. On public safety, Arlington is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Detroit. 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, Arlington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.8%.
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