Arlington TX vs Philadelphia PA — 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%
Philadelphia, PA
Pennsylvania · Population: 1,582,432
- Median HH Income$60,698
- Median Home Price$233,814
- Unemployment8.4%
- Bachelor's+34.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Arlington
394,769
Philadelphia
1,582,432
Philadelphia +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Arlington
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
Median Age
Arlington
33.6
Arlington +
Philadelphia
35.1
Foreign Born
Arlington
21.3%
Arlington +
Philadelphia
14.6%
White
Arlington
43.2%
Arlington +
Philadelphia
36.1%
Black
Arlington
22.4%
Philadelphia
39.9%
Philadelphia +
Asian
Arlington
7.3%
Philadelphia
7.8%
Philadelphia +
Hispanic
Arlington
31.0%
Arlington +
Philadelphia
15.2%
Spanish at Home
Arlington
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 394,769 | 1,582,432 | Philadelphia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.6 | 35.1 | Arlington + |
| Foreign Born | 21.3% | 14.6% | Arlington + |
| White | 43.2% | 36.1% | Arlington + |
| Black | 22.4% | 39.9% | Philadelphia + |
| Asian | 7.3% | 7.8% | Philadelphia + |
| Hispanic | 31.0% | 15.2% | Arlington + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Arlington
$73,519
Arlington +
Philadelphia
$60,698
Per Capita Income
Arlington
$35,226
Philadelphia
$37,669
Philadelphia +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Arlington
$63,758
Philadelphia
$65,080
Philadelphia +
Unemployment Rate
Arlington
5.7%
Arlington +
Philadelphia
8.4%
Poverty Rate
Arlington
13.1%
Arlington +
Philadelphia
22.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Arlington
33.1%
Philadelphia
34.6%
Philadelphia +
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $73,519 | $60,698 | Arlington + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,226 | $37,669 | Philadelphia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $65,080 | Philadelphia + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7% | 8.4% | Arlington + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.1% | 22.0% | Arlington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.1% | 34.6% | Philadelphia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Arlington
$313,683
Philadelphia
$233,814
Philadelphia +
Homeownership Rate
Arlington
54.8%
Arlington +
Philadelphia
52.3%
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $313,683 | $233,814 | Philadelphia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.8% | 52.3% | Arlington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Arlington
442
Philadelphia
319
Philadelphia +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Arlington
2339
Philadelphia
1613
Philadelphia +
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 319 | Philadelphia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1613 | Philadelphia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Arlington
33.8%
Philadelphia
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Arlington
12.0%
Philadelphia
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Arlington
18.2%
Philadelphia
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Arlington
18.4%
Philadelphia
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Arlington
16.0%
Philadelphia
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Arlington
13.3%
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.8% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.2% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 18.4% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Arlington
65.4°F
Philadelphia
57.1°F
Philadelphia +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Arlington
39.6 in
Arlington +
Philadelphia
48.5 in
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.4°F | 57.1°F | Philadelphia + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.6 in | 48.5 in | Arlington + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Arlington
9.2 µg/m³
Arlington +
Philadelphia
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Arlington
55.0%
Philadelphia
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Arlington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Arlington
29.0 min
Arlington +
Philadelphia
34.5 min
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.0 min | 34.5 min | Arlington + |
Which City is Right for You?
Arlington leads in median household income at $73,519, while philadelphia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $233,814. On public safety, Philadelphia is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Arlington. Arlington has a lower unemployment rate at 5.7%, and Arlington has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³).
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