Arlington TX vs Rochester NY — 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%
Rochester, NY
New York · Population: 209,720
- Median HH Income$46,628
- Median Home Price$241,627
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+29.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Arlington
394,769
Arlington +
Rochester
209,720
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Arlington
N/A
Rochester
N/A
Median Age
Arlington
33.6
Rochester
33.5
Rochester +
Foreign Born
Arlington
21.3%
Arlington +
Rochester
8.3%
White
Arlington
43.2%
Arlington +
Rochester
41.5%
Black
Arlington
22.4%
Rochester
37.5%
Rochester +
Asian
Arlington
7.3%
Arlington +
Rochester
3.2%
Hispanic
Arlington
31.0%
Arlington +
Rochester
20.0%
Spanish at Home
Arlington
N/A
Rochester
N/A
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 394,769 | 209,720 | Arlington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.6 | 33.5 | Rochester + |
| Foreign Born | 21.3% | 8.3% | Arlington + |
| White | 43.2% | 41.5% | Arlington + |
| Black | 22.4% | 37.5% | Rochester + |
| Asian | 7.3% | 3.2% | Arlington + |
| Hispanic | 31.0% | 20.0% | Arlington + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Arlington
$73,519
Arlington +
Rochester
$46,628
Per Capita Income
Arlington
$35,226
Arlington +
Rochester
$30,451
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Arlington
$63,758
Rochester
$77,425
Rochester +
Unemployment Rate
Arlington
5.7%
Arlington +
Rochester
7.9%
Poverty Rate
Arlington
13.1%
Arlington +
Rochester
26.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Arlington
33.1%
Arlington +
Rochester
29.9%
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $73,519 | $46,628 | Arlington + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,226 | $30,451 | Arlington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $77,425 | Rochester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7% | 7.9% | Arlington + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.1% | 26.6% | Arlington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.1% | 29.9% | Arlington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Arlington
$313,683
Rochester
$241,627
Rochester +
Homeownership Rate
Arlington
54.8%
Arlington +
Rochester
37.2%
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $313,683 | $241,627 | Rochester + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.8% | 37.2% | Arlington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Arlington
442
Rochester
434
Rochester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Arlington
2339
Rochester
1736
Rochester +
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 434 | Rochester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1736 | Rochester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Arlington
33.8%
Arlington +
Rochester
38.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Arlington
12.0%
Arlington +
Rochester
14.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Arlington
18.2%
Arlington +
Rochester
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Arlington
18.4%
Rochester
10.9%
Rochester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Arlington
16.0%
Arlington +
Rochester
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Arlington
13.3%
Arlington +
Rochester
16.6%
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.8% | 38.0% | Arlington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 14.3% | Arlington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.2% | 18.8% | Arlington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 10.9% | Rochester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 16.3% | Arlington + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 16.6% | Arlington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Arlington
65.4°F
Rochester
48.2°F
Rochester +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Arlington
39.6 in
Rochester
34.3 in
Rochester +
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.4°F | 48.2°F | Rochester + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.6 in | 34.3 in | Rochester + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Arlington
9.2 µg/m³
Rochester
8.1 µg/m³
Rochester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Arlington
55.0%
Rochester
75.0%
Rochester +
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Rochester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Rochester + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Arlington
29.0 min
Rochester
20.6 min
Rochester +
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.0 min | 20.6 min | Rochester + |
Which City is Right for You?
Arlington leads in median household income at $73,519, while rochester offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $241,627. On public safety, Rochester is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Arlington. Arlington has a lower unemployment rate at 5.7%, and Rochester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Arlington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.8%.
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