Arlington TX vs Sacramento 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%
Sacramento, CA
California · Population: 524,802
- Median HH Income$83,753
- Median Home Price$480,548
- Unemployment6.2%
- Bachelor's+36.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Arlington
394,769
Sacramento
524,802
Sacramento +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Arlington
N/A
Sacramento
N/A
Median Age
Arlington
33.6
Arlington +
Sacramento
35.7
Foreign Born
Arlington
21.3%
Arlington +
Sacramento
21.3%
White
Arlington
43.2%
Arlington +
Sacramento
36.8%
Black
Arlington
22.4%
Arlington +
Sacramento
12.4%
Asian
Arlington
7.3%
Sacramento
19.7%
Sacramento +
Hispanic
Arlington
31.0%
Arlington +
Sacramento
29.5%
Spanish at Home
Arlington
N/A
Sacramento
N/A
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 394,769 | 524,802 | Sacramento + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.6 | 35.7 | Arlington + |
| Foreign Born | 21.3% | 21.3% | Arlington + |
| White | 43.2% | 36.8% | Arlington + |
| Black | 22.4% | 12.4% | Arlington + |
| Asian | 7.3% | 19.7% | Sacramento + |
| Hispanic | 31.0% | 29.5% | Arlington + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Arlington
$73,519
Sacramento
$83,753
Sacramento +
Per Capita Income
Arlington
$35,226
Sacramento
$42,300
Sacramento +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Arlington
$63,758
Sacramento
$77,230
Sacramento +
Unemployment Rate
Arlington
5.7%
Arlington +
Sacramento
6.2%
Poverty Rate
Arlington
13.1%
Arlington +
Sacramento
14.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Arlington
33.1%
Sacramento
36.4%
Sacramento +
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $73,519 | $83,753 | Sacramento + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,226 | $42,300 | Sacramento + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $77,230 | Sacramento + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7% | 6.2% | Arlington + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.1% | 14.4% | Arlington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.1% | 36.4% | Sacramento + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Arlington
$313,683
Arlington +
Sacramento
$480,548
Homeownership Rate
Arlington
54.8%
Arlington +
Sacramento
51.5%
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $313,683 | $480,548 | Arlington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.8% | 51.5% | Arlington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Arlington
442
Arlington +
Sacramento
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Arlington
2339
Arlington +
Sacramento
2388
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Sacramento, 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%
Sacramento
30.0%
Sacramento +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Arlington
12.0%
Sacramento
11.2%
Sacramento +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Arlington
18.2%
Sacramento
17.9%
Sacramento +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Arlington
18.4%
Sacramento
10.0%
Sacramento +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Arlington
16.0%
Sacramento
14.3%
Sacramento +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Arlington
13.3%
Sacramento
11.9%
Sacramento +
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.8% | 30.0% | Sacramento + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 11.2% | Sacramento + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.2% | 17.9% | Sacramento + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 10.0% | Sacramento + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 14.3% | Sacramento + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 11.9% | Sacramento + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Arlington
65.4°F
Sacramento
61.0°F
Sacramento +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Arlington
39.6 in
Sacramento
18.5 in
Sacramento +
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.4°F | 61.0°F | Sacramento + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.6 in | 18.5 in | Sacramento + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Arlington
9.2 µg/m³
Sacramento
7.9 µg/m³
Sacramento +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Arlington
55.0%
Sacramento
75.0%
Sacramento +
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Sacramento + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Sacramento + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Arlington
29.0 min
Sacramento
27.0 min
Sacramento +
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.0 min | 27.0 min | Sacramento + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sacramento leads in median household income at $83,753, 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 Sacramento. Arlington has a lower unemployment rate at 5.7%, and Sacramento has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sacramento scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.0%.
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