Arlington TX vs Fort Worth 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%
Fort Worth, TX
Texas · Population: 941,311
- Median HH Income$76,602
- Median Home Price$299,655
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+31.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Arlington
394,769
Fort Worth
941,311
Fort Worth +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Arlington
N/A
Fort Worth
N/A
Median Age
Arlington
33.6
Fort Worth
33.4
Fort Worth +
Foreign Born
Arlington
21.3%
Arlington +
Fort Worth
17.0%
White
Arlington
43.2%
Fort Worth
47.7%
Fort Worth +
Black
Arlington
22.4%
Arlington +
Fort Worth
19.5%
Asian
Arlington
7.3%
Arlington +
Fort Worth
5.2%
Hispanic
Arlington
31.0%
Fort Worth
34.6%
Fort Worth +
Spanish at Home
Arlington
N/A
Fort Worth
N/A
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Fort Worth, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 394,769 | 941,311 | Fort Worth + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.6 | 33.4 | Fort Worth + |
| Foreign Born | 21.3% | 17.0% | Arlington + |
| White | 43.2% | 47.7% | Fort Worth + |
| Black | 22.4% | 19.5% | Arlington + |
| Asian | 7.3% | 5.2% | Arlington + |
| Hispanic | 31.0% | 34.6% | Fort Worth + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Arlington
$73,519
Fort Worth
$76,602
Fort Worth +
Per Capita Income
Arlington
$35,226
Fort Worth
$37,157
Fort Worth +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Arlington
$63,758
Fort Worth
$63,758
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Arlington
5.7%
Fort Worth
4.9%
Fort Worth +
Poverty Rate
Arlington
13.1%
Fort Worth
12.9%
Fort Worth +
Bachelor's Degree+
Arlington
33.1%
Arlington +
Fort Worth
31.7%
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Fort Worth, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $73,519 | $76,602 | Fort Worth + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,226 | $37,157 | Fort Worth + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $63,758 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7% | 4.9% | Fort Worth + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.1% | 12.9% | Fort Worth + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.1% | 31.7% | Arlington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Arlington
$313,683
Fort Worth
$299,655
Fort Worth +
Homeownership Rate
Arlington
54.8%
Fort Worth
56.8%
Fort Worth +
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Fort Worth, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $313,683 | $299,655 | Fort Worth + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.8% | 56.8% | Fort Worth + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Arlington
442
Fort Worth
442
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Arlington
2339
Fort Worth
2339
Tie
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Fort Worth, 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 +
Fort Worth
34.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Arlington
12.0%
Arlington +
Fort Worth
12.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Arlington
18.2%
Arlington +
Fort Worth
18.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Arlington
18.4%
Arlington +
Fort Worth
20.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Arlington
16.0%
Arlington +
Fort Worth
16.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Arlington
13.3%
Arlington +
Fort Worth
13.8%
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Fort Worth, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.8% | 34.6% | Arlington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 12.2% | Arlington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.2% | 18.5% | Arlington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 20.0% | Arlington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 16.9% | Arlington + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 13.8% | Arlington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Arlington
65.4°F
Arlington +
Fort Worth
65.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Arlington
39.6 in
Fort Worth
37.8 in
Fort Worth +
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Fort Worth, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.4°F | 65.8°F | Arlington + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.6 in | 37.8 in | Fort Worth + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Arlington
9.2 µg/m³
Fort Worth
9.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Arlington
55.0%
Fort Worth
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Fort Worth, 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
Fort Worth
29.0 min
Tie
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Fort Worth, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.0 min | 29.0 min | Tie |
Which City is Right for You?
Fort Worth leads in median household income at $76,602, while fort Worth offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $299,655. On public safety, Fort Worth is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Arlington. Fort Worth has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Fort Worth 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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