Arlington TX vs Tacoma WA — 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%
Tacoma, WA
Washington · Population: 220,482
- Median HH Income$83,857
- Median Home Price$496,966
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+33.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Arlington
394,769
Arlington +
Tacoma
220,482
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Arlington
N/A
Tacoma
N/A
Median Age
Arlington
33.6
Arlington +
Tacoma
37.3
Foreign Born
Arlington
21.3%
Arlington +
Tacoma
12.2%
White
Arlington
43.2%
Tacoma
59.4%
Tacoma +
Black
Arlington
22.4%
Arlington +
Tacoma
10.5%
Asian
Arlington
7.3%
Tacoma
8.8%
Tacoma +
Hispanic
Arlington
31.0%
Arlington +
Tacoma
13.1%
Spanish at Home
Arlington
N/A
Tacoma
N/A
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 394,769 | 220,482 | Arlington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.6 | 37.3 | Arlington + |
| Foreign Born | 21.3% | 12.2% | Arlington + |
| White | 43.2% | 59.4% | Tacoma + |
| Black | 22.4% | 10.5% | Arlington + |
| Asian | 7.3% | 8.8% | Tacoma + |
| Hispanic | 31.0% | 13.1% | Arlington + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Arlington
$73,519
Tacoma
$83,857
Tacoma +
Per Capita Income
Arlington
$35,226
Tacoma
$44,756
Tacoma +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Arlington
$63,758
Tacoma
$76,120
Tacoma +
Unemployment Rate
Arlington
5.7%
Tacoma
5.3%
Tacoma +
Poverty Rate
Arlington
13.1%
Tacoma
12.0%
Tacoma +
Bachelor's Degree+
Arlington
33.1%
Tacoma
33.5%
Tacoma +
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $73,519 | $83,857 | Tacoma + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,226 | $44,756 | Tacoma + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $76,120 | Tacoma + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7% | 5.3% | Tacoma + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.1% | 12.0% | Tacoma + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.1% | 33.5% | Tacoma + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Arlington
$313,683
Arlington +
Tacoma
$496,966
Homeownership Rate
Arlington
54.8%
Tacoma
56.5%
Tacoma +
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $313,683 | $496,966 | Arlington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.8% | 56.5% | Tacoma + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Arlington
442
Tacoma
383
Tacoma +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Arlington
2339
Arlington +
Tacoma
3409
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 383 | Tacoma + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 3409 | Arlington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Arlington
33.8%
Arlington +
Tacoma
37.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Arlington
12.0%
Tacoma
10.9%
Tacoma +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Arlington
18.2%
Arlington +
Tacoma
18.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Arlington
18.4%
Tacoma
9.3%
Tacoma +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Arlington
16.0%
Arlington +
Tacoma
16.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Arlington
13.3%
Tacoma
11.9%
Tacoma +
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.8% | 37.3% | Arlington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 10.9% | Tacoma + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.2% | 18.7% | Arlington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 9.3% | Tacoma + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 16.8% | Arlington + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 11.9% | Tacoma + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Arlington
65.4°F
Tacoma
53.5°F
Tacoma +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Arlington
39.6 in
Tacoma
39.2 in
Tacoma +
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.4°F | 53.5°F | Tacoma + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.6 in | 39.2 in | Tacoma + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Arlington
9.2 µg/m³
Tacoma
7.5 µg/m³
Tacoma +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Arlington
55.0%
Tacoma
75.0%
Tacoma +
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Tacoma + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Tacoma + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Arlington
29.0 min
Arlington +
Tacoma
31.1 min
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.0 min | 31.1 min | Arlington + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tacoma leads in median household income at $83,857, while arlington offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $313,683. On public safety, Tacoma is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Arlington. Tacoma has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Tacoma has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Arlington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.8%.
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