Arlington TX vs Tampa FL — 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%
Tampa, FL
Florida · Population: 393,389
- Median HH Income$71,302
- Median Home Price$376,530
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+44.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Arlington
394,769
Arlington +
Tampa
393,389
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Arlington
N/A
Tampa
N/A
Median Age
Arlington
33.6
Arlington +
Tampa
35.6
Foreign Born
Arlington
21.3%
Arlington +
Tampa
19.0%
White
Arlington
43.2%
Tampa
51.8%
Tampa +
Black
Arlington
22.4%
Arlington +
Tampa
21.3%
Asian
Arlington
7.3%
Arlington +
Tampa
4.8%
Hispanic
Arlington
31.0%
Arlington +
Tampa
26.2%
Spanish at Home
Arlington
N/A
Tampa
N/A
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 394,769 | 393,389 | Arlington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.6 | 35.6 | Arlington + |
| Foreign Born | 21.3% | 19.0% | Arlington + |
| White | 43.2% | 51.8% | Tampa + |
| Black | 22.4% | 21.3% | Arlington + |
| Asian | 7.3% | 4.8% | Arlington + |
| Hispanic | 31.0% | 26.2% | Arlington + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Arlington
$73,519
Arlington +
Tampa
$71,302
Per Capita Income
Arlington
$35,226
Tampa
$49,513
Tampa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Arlington
$63,758
Tampa
$65,328
Tampa +
Unemployment Rate
Arlington
5.7%
Tampa
4.7%
Tampa +
Poverty Rate
Arlington
13.1%
Arlington +
Tampa
15.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Arlington
33.1%
Tampa
44.6%
Tampa +
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $73,519 | $71,302 | Arlington + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,226 | $49,513 | Tampa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $65,328 | Tampa + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7% | 4.7% | Tampa + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.1% | 15.9% | Arlington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.1% | 44.6% | Tampa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Arlington
$313,683
Arlington +
Tampa
$376,530
Homeownership Rate
Arlington
54.8%
Arlington +
Tampa
50.2%
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $313,683 | $376,530 | Arlington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.8% | 50.2% | Arlington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Arlington
442
Tampa
324
Tampa +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Arlington
2339
Tampa
1453
Tampa +
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 324 | Tampa + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1453 | Tampa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Arlington
33.8%
Tampa
31.9%
Tampa +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Arlington
12.0%
Arlington +
Tampa
12.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Arlington
18.2%
Tampa
17.4%
Tampa +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Arlington
18.4%
Tampa
15.9%
Tampa +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Arlington
16.0%
Arlington +
Tampa
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Arlington
13.3%
Tampa
12.6%
Tampa +
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.8% | 31.9% | Tampa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 12.5% | Arlington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.2% | 17.4% | Tampa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 15.9% | Tampa + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 16.7% | Arlington + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 12.6% | Tampa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Arlington
65.4°F
Arlington +
Tampa
73.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Arlington
39.6 in
Arlington +
Tampa
46.3 in
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.4°F | 73.4°F | Arlington + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.6 in | 46.3 in | Arlington + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Arlington
9.2 µg/m³
Tampa
7.2 µg/m³
Tampa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Arlington
55.0%
Tampa
75.0%
Tampa +
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Tampa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Tampa + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Arlington
29.0 min
Tampa
26.8 min
Tampa +
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.0 min | 26.8 min | Tampa + |
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, Tampa is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Arlington. Tampa has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Tampa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tampa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.9%.
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