Arlington TX vs Houston 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%
Houston, TX
Texas · Population: 2,300,419
- Median HH Income$62,894
- Median Home Price$265,062
- Unemployment6.7%
- Bachelor's+36.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Arlington
394,769
Houston
2,300,419
Houston +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Arlington
N/A
Houston
N/A
Median Age
Arlington
33.6
Arlington +
Houston
34.3
Foreign Born
Arlington
21.3%
Houston
28.8%
Houston +
White
Arlington
43.2%
Arlington +
Houston
35.5%
Black
Arlington
22.4%
Houston
22.9%
Houston +
Asian
Arlington
7.3%
Arlington +
Houston
6.9%
Hispanic
Arlington
31.0%
Houston
44.1%
Houston +
Spanish at Home
Arlington
N/A
Houston
N/A
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 394,769 | 2,300,419 | Houston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.6 | 34.3 | Arlington + |
| Foreign Born | 21.3% | 28.8% | Houston + |
| White | 43.2% | 35.5% | Arlington + |
| Black | 22.4% | 22.9% | Houston + |
| Asian | 7.3% | 6.9% | Arlington + |
| Hispanic | 31.0% | 44.1% | Houston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Arlington
$73,519
Arlington +
Houston
$62,894
Per Capita Income
Arlington
$35,226
Houston
$41,142
Houston +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Arlington
$63,758
Houston
$63,758
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Arlington
5.7%
Arlington +
Houston
6.7%
Poverty Rate
Arlington
13.1%
Arlington +
Houston
19.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Arlington
33.1%
Houston
36.0%
Houston +
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $73,519 | $62,894 | Arlington + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,226 | $41,142 | Houston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $63,758 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7% | 6.7% | Arlington + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.1% | 19.7% | Arlington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.1% | 36.0% | Houston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Arlington
$313,683
Houston
$265,062
Houston +
Homeownership Rate
Arlington
54.8%
Arlington +
Houston
42.0%
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $313,683 | $265,062 | Houston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.8% | 42.0% | Arlington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Arlington
442
Houston
442
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Arlington
2339
Houston
2339
Tie
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Houston, 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 +
Houston
38.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Arlington
12.0%
Arlington +
Houston
13.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Arlington
18.2%
Houston
17.1%
Houston +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Arlington
18.4%
Arlington +
Houston
24.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Arlington
16.0%
Arlington +
Houston
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Arlington
13.3%
Arlington +
Houston
13.6%
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.8% | 38.0% | Arlington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 13.9% | Arlington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.2% | 17.1% | Houston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 24.0% | Arlington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 16.7% | Arlington + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 13.6% | Arlington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Arlington
65.4°F
Houston
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Arlington
39.6 in
Arlington +
Houston
48.7 in
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.4°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.6 in | 48.7 in | Arlington + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Arlington
9.2 µg/m³
Houston
9.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Arlington
55.0%
Houston
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Houston, 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
Arlington +
Houston
29.6 min
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.0 min | 29.6 min | Arlington + |
Which City is Right for You?
Arlington leads in median household income at $73,519, while houston offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $265,062. On public safety, Houston is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Arlington. Arlington has a lower unemployment rate at 5.7%, and Houston 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%.
Compare More Cities
Arlington, TX vs New York, NYArlington, TX vs Los Angeles, CAArlington, TX vs Chicago, ILArlington, TX vs Phoenix, AZArlington, TX vs Philadelphia, PAArlington, TX vs San Antonio, TX