Arlington TX vs Fort Lauderdale 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%
Fort Lauderdale, FL
Florida · Population: 183,032
- Median HH Income$79,935
- Median Home Price$510,297
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+39.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Arlington
394,769
Arlington +
Fort Lauderdale
183,032
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Arlington
N/A
Fort Lauderdale
N/A
Median Age
Arlington
33.6
Arlington +
Fort Lauderdale
42.9
Foreign Born
Arlington
21.3%
Fort Lauderdale
26.7%
Fort Lauderdale +
White
Arlington
43.2%
Fort Lauderdale
51.3%
Fort Lauderdale +
Black
Arlington
22.4%
Fort Lauderdale
28.8%
Fort Lauderdale +
Asian
Arlington
7.3%
Arlington +
Fort Lauderdale
1.6%
Hispanic
Arlington
31.0%
Arlington +
Fort Lauderdale
20.1%
Spanish at Home
Arlington
N/A
Fort Lauderdale
N/A
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 394,769 | 183,032 | Arlington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.6 | 42.9 | Arlington + |
| Foreign Born | 21.3% | 26.7% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| White | 43.2% | 51.3% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Black | 22.4% | 28.8% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Asian | 7.3% | 1.6% | Arlington + |
| Hispanic | 31.0% | 20.1% | Arlington + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Arlington
$73,519
Fort Lauderdale
$79,935
Fort Lauderdale +
Per Capita Income
Arlington
$35,226
Fort Lauderdale
$57,845
Fort Lauderdale +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Arlington
$63,758
Fort Lauderdale
$65,328
Fort Lauderdale +
Unemployment Rate
Arlington
5.7%
Fort Lauderdale
5.3%
Fort Lauderdale +
Poverty Rate
Arlington
13.1%
Arlington +
Fort Lauderdale
15.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Arlington
33.1%
Fort Lauderdale
39.8%
Fort Lauderdale +
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $73,519 | $79,935 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,226 | $57,845 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $65,328 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7% | 5.3% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.1% | 15.2% | Arlington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.1% | 39.8% | Fort Lauderdale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Arlington
$313,683
Arlington +
Fort Lauderdale
$510,297
Homeownership Rate
Arlington
54.8%
Arlington +
Fort Lauderdale
53.8%
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $313,683 | $510,297 | Arlington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.8% | 53.8% | Arlington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Arlington
442
Fort Lauderdale
324
Fort Lauderdale +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Arlington
2339
Fort Lauderdale
1453
Fort Lauderdale +
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 324 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1453 | Fort Lauderdale + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Arlington
33.8%
Fort Lauderdale
30.3%
Fort Lauderdale +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Arlington
12.0%
Arlington +
Fort Lauderdale
12.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Arlington
18.2%
Fort Lauderdale
16.2%
Fort Lauderdale +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Arlington
18.4%
Fort Lauderdale
14.7%
Fort Lauderdale +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Arlington
16.0%
Fort Lauderdale
14.9%
Fort Lauderdale +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Arlington
13.3%
Fort Lauderdale
13.0%
Fort Lauderdale +
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.8% | 30.3% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 12.8% | Arlington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.2% | 16.2% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 14.7% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 14.9% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 13.0% | Fort Lauderdale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Arlington
65.4°F
Arlington +
Fort Lauderdale
75.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Arlington
39.6 in
Arlington +
Fort Lauderdale
66.5 in
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.4°F | 75.5°F | Arlington + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.6 in | 66.5 in | Arlington + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Arlington
9.2 µg/m³
Fort Lauderdale
7.2 µg/m³
Fort Lauderdale +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Arlington
55.0%
Fort Lauderdale
75.0%
Fort Lauderdale +
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Fort Lauderdale + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Arlington
29.0 min
Fort Lauderdale
28.5 min
Fort Lauderdale +
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.0 min | 28.5 min | Fort Lauderdale + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fort Lauderdale leads in median household income at $79,935, while arlington offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $313,683. On public safety, Fort Lauderdale is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Arlington. Fort Lauderdale has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Fort Lauderdale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fort Lauderdale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.3%.
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