Arlington TX vs Washington DC — 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%
Washington, DC
District of Columbia · Population: 672,079
- Median HH Income$106,287
- Median Home Price$580,173
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+63.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Arlington
394,769
Washington
672,079
Washington +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Arlington
N/A
Washington
N/A
Median Age
Arlington
33.6
Arlington +
Washington
34.9
Foreign Born
Arlington
21.3%
Arlington +
Washington
13.3%
White
Arlington
43.2%
Arlington +
Washington
39.1%
Black
Arlington
22.4%
Washington
43.3%
Washington +
Asian
Arlington
7.3%
Arlington +
Washington
4.1%
Hispanic
Arlington
31.0%
Arlington +
Washington
11.6%
Spanish at Home
Arlington
N/A
Washington
N/A
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 394,769 | 672,079 | Washington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.6 | 34.9 | Arlington + |
| Foreign Born | 21.3% | 13.3% | Arlington + |
| White | 43.2% | 39.1% | Arlington + |
| Black | 22.4% | 43.3% | Washington + |
| Asian | 7.3% | 4.1% | Arlington + |
| Hispanic | 31.0% | 11.6% | Arlington + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Arlington
$73,519
Washington
$106,287
Washington +
Per Capita Income
Arlington
$35,226
Washington
$75,253
Washington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Arlington
$63,758
Washington
$101,182
Washington +
Unemployment Rate
Arlington
5.7%
Arlington +
Washington
6.5%
Poverty Rate
Arlington
13.1%
Arlington +
Washington
14.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Arlington
33.1%
Washington
63.6%
Washington +
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $73,519 | $106,287 | Washington + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,226 | $75,253 | Washington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $101,182 | Washington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7% | 6.5% | Arlington + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.1% | 14.5% | Arlington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.1% | 63.6% | Washington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Arlington
$313,683
Arlington +
Washington
$580,173
Homeownership Rate
Arlington
54.8%
Arlington +
Washington
41.1%
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $313,683 | $580,173 | Arlington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.8% | 41.1% | Arlington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Arlington
442
Washington
398
Washington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Arlington
2339
Washington
1999
Washington +
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 398 | Washington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1999 | Washington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Arlington
33.8%
Washington
24.6%
Washington +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Arlington
12.0%
Washington
7.8%
Washington +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Arlington
18.2%
Washington
14.6%
Washington +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Arlington
18.4%
Washington
6.7%
Washington +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Arlington
16.0%
Arlington +
Washington
24.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Arlington
13.3%
Washington
9.7%
Washington +
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.8% | 24.6% | Washington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 7.8% | Washington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.2% | 14.6% | Washington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 6.7% | Washington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 24.0% | Arlington + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 9.7% | Washington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Arlington
65.4°F
Washington
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Arlington
39.6 in
Washington
N/A
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.4°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.6 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Arlington
9.2 µg/m³
Washington
8.8 µg/m³
Washington +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Arlington
55.0%
Washington
75.0%
Washington +
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Washington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Washington + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Arlington
29.0 min
Arlington +
Washington
32.8 min
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.0 min | 32.8 min | Arlington + |
Which City is Right for You?
Washington leads in median household income at $106,287, while arlington offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $313,683. On public safety, Washington is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Arlington. Arlington has a lower unemployment rate at 5.7%, and Washington has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Washington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.6%.
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