Arlington TX vs Riverside CA — 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%
Riverside, CA
California · Population: 316,241
- Median HH Income$88,575
- Median Home Price$648,603
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+25.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Arlington
394,769
Arlington +
Riverside
316,241
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Arlington
N/A
Riverside
N/A
Median Age
Arlington
33.6
Riverside
33.1
Riverside +
Foreign Born
Arlington
21.3%
Riverside
22.4%
Riverside +
White
Arlington
43.2%
Arlington +
Riverside
39.2%
Black
Arlington
22.4%
Arlington +
Riverside
6.0%
Asian
Arlington
7.3%
Riverside
8.3%
Riverside +
Hispanic
Arlington
31.0%
Riverside
54.6%
Riverside +
Spanish at Home
Arlington
N/A
Riverside
N/A
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 394,769 | 316,241 | Arlington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.6 | 33.1 | Riverside + |
| Foreign Born | 21.3% | 22.4% | Riverside + |
| White | 43.2% | 39.2% | Arlington + |
| Black | 22.4% | 6.0% | Arlington + |
| Asian | 7.3% | 8.3% | Riverside + |
| Hispanic | 31.0% | 54.6% | Riverside + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Arlington
$73,519
Riverside
$88,575
Riverside +
Per Capita Income
Arlington
$35,226
Arlington +
Riverside
$33,716
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Arlington
$63,758
Riverside
$77,230
Riverside +
Unemployment Rate
Arlington
5.7%
Arlington +
Riverside
6.0%
Poverty Rate
Arlington
13.1%
Riverside
12.5%
Riverside +
Bachelor's Degree+
Arlington
33.1%
Arlington +
Riverside
25.7%
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $73,519 | $88,575 | Riverside + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,226 | $33,716 | Arlington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $77,230 | Riverside + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7% | 6.0% | Arlington + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.1% | 12.5% | Riverside + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.1% | 25.7% | Arlington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Arlington
$313,683
Arlington +
Riverside
$648,603
Homeownership Rate
Arlington
54.8%
Riverside
56.3%
Riverside +
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $313,683 | $648,603 | Arlington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.8% | 56.3% | Riverside + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Arlington
442
Arlington +
Riverside
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Arlington
2339
Arlington +
Riverside
2388
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 503 | Arlington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2388 | Arlington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Arlington
33.8%
Arlington +
Riverside
36.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Arlington
12.0%
Riverside
11.2%
Riverside +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Arlington
18.2%
Arlington +
Riverside
18.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Arlington
18.4%
Riverside
13.6%
Riverside +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Arlington
16.0%
Riverside
15.2%
Riverside +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Arlington
13.3%
Riverside
11.5%
Riverside +
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.8% | 36.7% | Arlington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 11.2% | Riverside + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.2% | 18.5% | Arlington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 13.6% | Riverside + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 15.2% | Riverside + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 11.5% | Riverside + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Arlington
65.4°F
Arlington +
Riverside
66.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Arlington
39.6 in
Riverside
10.3 in
Riverside +
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.4°F | 66.8°F | Arlington + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.6 in | 10.3 in | Riverside + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Arlington
9.2 µg/m³
Riverside
7.9 µg/m³
Riverside +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Arlington
55.0%
Riverside
75.0%
Riverside +
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Riverside + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Riverside + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Arlington
29.0 min
Arlington +
Riverside
34.1 min
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.0 min | 34.1 min | Arlington + |
Which City is Right for You?
Riverside leads in median household income at $88,575, while arlington offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $313,683. On public safety, Arlington is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Riverside. Arlington has a lower unemployment rate at 5.7%, and Riverside has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 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 Houston, TXArlington, TX vs Phoenix, AZArlington, TX vs Philadelphia, PA