Arlington TX vs Memphis TN — 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%
Memphis, TN
Tennessee · Population: 629,063
- Median HH Income$51,211
- Median Home Price$147,306
- Unemployment8.3%
- Bachelor's+28.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Arlington
394,769
Memphis
629,063
Memphis +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Arlington
N/A
Memphis
N/A
Median Age
Arlington
33.6
Arlington +
Memphis
34.3
Foreign Born
Arlington
21.3%
Arlington +
Memphis
7.4%
White
Arlington
43.2%
Arlington +
Memphis
25.0%
Black
Arlington
22.4%
Memphis
62.9%
Memphis +
Asian
Arlington
7.3%
Arlington +
Memphis
1.7%
Hispanic
Arlington
31.0%
Arlington +
Memphis
10.2%
Spanish at Home
Arlington
N/A
Memphis
N/A
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 394,769 | 629,063 | Memphis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.6 | 34.3 | Arlington + |
| Foreign Born | 21.3% | 7.4% | Arlington + |
| White | 43.2% | 25.0% | Arlington + |
| Black | 22.4% | 62.9% | Memphis + |
| Asian | 7.3% | 1.7% | Arlington + |
| Hispanic | 31.0% | 10.2% | Arlington + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Arlington
$73,519
Arlington +
Memphis
$51,211
Per Capita Income
Arlington
$35,226
Arlington +
Memphis
$32,314
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Arlington
$63,758
Arlington +
Memphis
$59,097
Unemployment Rate
Arlington
5.7%
Arlington +
Memphis
8.3%
Poverty Rate
Arlington
13.1%
Arlington +
Memphis
22.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Arlington
33.1%
Arlington +
Memphis
28.2%
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $73,519 | $51,211 | Arlington + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,226 | $32,314 | Arlington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $59,097 | Arlington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7% | 8.3% | Arlington + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.1% | 22.5% | Arlington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.1% | 28.2% | Arlington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Arlington
$313,683
Memphis
$147,306
Memphis +
Homeownership Rate
Arlington
54.8%
Arlington +
Memphis
46.0%
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $313,683 | $147,306 | Memphis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.8% | 46.0% | Arlington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Arlington
442
Arlington +
Memphis
639
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Arlington
2339
Arlington +
Memphis
2350
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 639 | Arlington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2350 | Arlington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Arlington
33.8%
Arlington +
Memphis
42.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Arlington
12.0%
Arlington +
Memphis
17.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Arlington
18.2%
Arlington +
Memphis
20.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Arlington
18.4%
Memphis
14.9%
Memphis +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Arlington
16.0%
Memphis
13.5%
Memphis +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Arlington
13.3%
Arlington +
Memphis
19.9%
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.8% | 42.1% | Arlington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 17.6% | Arlington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.2% | 20.7% | Arlington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 14.9% | Memphis + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 13.5% | Memphis + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 19.9% | Arlington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Arlington
65.4°F
Memphis
60.9°F
Memphis +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Arlington
39.6 in
Arlington +
Memphis
54.9 in
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.4°F | 60.9°F | Memphis + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.6 in | 54.9 in | Arlington + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Arlington
9.2 µg/m³
Memphis
8.9 µg/m³
Memphis +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Arlington
55.0%
Memphis
75.0%
Memphis +
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Memphis + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Memphis + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Arlington
29.0 min
Memphis
22.9 min
Memphis +
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.0 min | 22.9 min | Memphis + |
Which City is Right for You?
Arlington leads in median household income at $73,519, while memphis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $147,306. On public safety, Arlington is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Memphis. Arlington has a lower unemployment rate at 5.7%, and Memphis has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Arlington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.8%.
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