Arlington TX vs San Antonio TX — 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%
San Antonio, TX
Texas · Population: 1,458,954
- Median HH Income$62,917
- Median Home Price$251,035
- Unemployment5.8%
- Bachelor's+28.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Arlington
394,769
San Antonio
1,458,954
San Antonio +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Arlington
N/A
San Antonio
N/A
Median Age
Arlington
33.6
Arlington +
San Antonio
34.6
Foreign Born
Arlington
21.3%
Arlington +
San Antonio
14.3%
White
Arlington
43.2%
San Antonio
48.3%
San Antonio +
Black
Arlington
22.4%
Arlington +
San Antonio
7.0%
Asian
Arlington
7.3%
Arlington +
San Antonio
3.1%
Hispanic
Arlington
31.0%
San Antonio
64.4%
San Antonio +
Spanish at Home
Arlington
N/A
San Antonio
N/A
| Metric | Arlington, TX | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 394,769 | 1,458,954 | San Antonio + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.6 | 34.6 | Arlington + |
| Foreign Born | 21.3% | 14.3% | Arlington + |
| White | 43.2% | 48.3% | San Antonio + |
| Black | 22.4% | 7.0% | Arlington + |
| Asian | 7.3% | 3.1% | Arlington + |
| Hispanic | 31.0% | 64.4% | San Antonio + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Arlington
$73,519
Arlington +
San Antonio
$62,917
Per Capita Income
Arlington
$35,226
Arlington +
San Antonio
$32,983
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Arlington
$63,758
San Antonio
$63,758
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Arlington
5.7%
Arlington +
San Antonio
5.8%
Poverty Rate
Arlington
13.1%
Arlington +
San Antonio
17.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Arlington
33.1%
Arlington +
San Antonio
28.7%
| Metric | Arlington, TX | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $73,519 | $62,917 | Arlington + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,226 | $32,983 | Arlington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $63,758 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7% | 5.8% | Arlington + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.1% | 17.1% | Arlington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.1% | 28.7% | Arlington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Arlington
$313,683
San Antonio
$251,035
San Antonio +
Homeownership Rate
Arlington
54.8%
Arlington +
San Antonio
52.4%
| Metric | Arlington, TX | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $313,683 | $251,035 | San Antonio + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.8% | 52.4% | Arlington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Arlington
442
San Antonio
442
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Arlington
2339
San Antonio
2339
Tie
| Metric | Arlington, TX | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 442 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2339 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Arlington
33.8%
Arlington +
San Antonio
34.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Arlington
12.0%
Arlington +
San Antonio
15.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Arlington
18.2%
San Antonio
17.2%
San Antonio +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Arlington
18.4%
Arlington +
San Antonio
24.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Arlington
16.0%
San Antonio
16.0%
Tie
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Arlington
13.3%
San Antonio
13.0%
San Antonio +
| Metric | Arlington, TX | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.8% | 34.9% | Arlington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 15.2% | Arlington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.2% | 17.2% | San Antonio + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 24.5% | Arlington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 16.0% | Tie |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 13.0% | San Antonio + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Arlington
65.4°F
Arlington +
San Antonio
68.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Arlington
39.6 in
San Antonio
34.9 in
San Antonio +
| Metric | Arlington, TX | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.4°F | 68.5°F | Arlington + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.6 in | 34.9 in | San Antonio + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Arlington
9.2 µg/m³
San Antonio
9.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Arlington
55.0%
San Antonio
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Arlington, TX | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Arlington
29.0 min
San Antonio
26.5 min
San Antonio +
| Metric | Arlington, TX | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.0 min | 26.5 min | San Antonio + |
Which City is Right for You?
Arlington leads in median household income at $73,519, while san Antonio offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $251,035. On public safety, San Antonio is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Arlington. Arlington has a lower unemployment rate at 5.7%, and San Antonio has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Arlington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.8%.
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