Arlington TX vs Salem OR — 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%
Salem, OR
Oregon · Population: 176,666
- Median HH Income$71,900
- Median Home Price$438,754
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+31.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Arlington
394,769
Arlington +
Salem
176,666
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Arlington
N/A
Salem
N/A
Median Age
Arlington
33.6
Arlington +
Salem
35.7
Foreign Born
Arlington
21.3%
Arlington +
Salem
12.2%
White
Arlington
43.2%
Salem
69.8%
Salem +
Black
Arlington
22.4%
Arlington +
Salem
1.6%
Asian
Arlington
7.3%
Arlington +
Salem
3.5%
Hispanic
Arlington
31.0%
Arlington +
Salem
23.4%
Spanish at Home
Arlington
N/A
Salem
N/A
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 394,769 | 176,666 | Arlington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.6 | 35.7 | Arlington + |
| Foreign Born | 21.3% | 12.2% | Arlington + |
| White | 43.2% | 69.8% | Salem + |
| Black | 22.4% | 1.6% | Arlington + |
| Asian | 7.3% | 3.5% | Arlington + |
| Hispanic | 31.0% | 23.4% | Arlington + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Arlington
$73,519
Arlington +
Salem
$71,900
Per Capita Income
Arlington
$35,226
Salem
$36,477
Salem +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Arlington
$63,758
Arlington +
Salem
$63,691
Unemployment Rate
Arlington
5.7%
Salem
5.3%
Salem +
Poverty Rate
Arlington
13.1%
Arlington +
Salem
14.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Arlington
33.1%
Arlington +
Salem
31.4%
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $73,519 | $71,900 | Arlington + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,226 | $36,477 | Salem + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $63,691 | Arlington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7% | 5.3% | Salem + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.1% | 14.7% | Arlington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.1% | 31.4% | Arlington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Arlington
$313,683
Arlington +
Salem
$438,754
Homeownership Rate
Arlington
54.8%
Salem
55.7%
Salem +
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $313,683 | $438,754 | Arlington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.8% | 55.7% | Salem + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Arlington
442
Salem
355
Salem +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Arlington
2339
Arlington +
Salem
3001
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 355 | Salem + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 3001 | Arlington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Arlington
33.8%
Arlington +
Salem
41.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Arlington
12.0%
Salem
11.7%
Salem +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Arlington
18.2%
Arlington +
Salem
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Arlington
18.4%
Salem
11.6%
Salem +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Arlington
16.0%
Arlington +
Salem
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Arlington
13.3%
Salem
12.4%
Salem +
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.8% | 41.4% | Arlington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 11.7% | Salem + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.2% | 18.8% | Arlington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 11.6% | Salem + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 16.2% | Arlington + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 12.4% | Salem + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Arlington
65.4°F
Salem
53.0°F
Salem +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Arlington
39.6 in
Arlington +
Salem
39.7 in
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.4°F | 53.0°F | Salem + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.6 in | 39.7 in | Arlington + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Arlington
9.2 µg/m³
Salem
9.0 µg/m³
Salem +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Arlington
55.0%
Salem
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 9.0 µg/m³ | Salem + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Arlington
29.0 min
Salem
24.5 min
Salem +
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.0 min | 24.5 min | Salem + |
Which City is Right for You?
Arlington leads in median household income at $73,519, while arlington offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $313,683. On public safety, Salem is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Arlington. Salem has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Salem has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Arlington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.8%.
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