Arlington TX vs West Palm Beach 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%
West Palm Beach, FL
Florida · Population: 119,508
- Median HH Income$69,261
- Median Home Price$399,650
- Unemployment5.4%
- Bachelor's+37.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Arlington
394,769
Arlington +
West Palm Beach
119,508
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Arlington
N/A
West Palm Beach
N/A
Median Age
Arlington
33.6
Arlington +
West Palm Beach
40.2
Foreign Born
Arlington
21.3%
West Palm Beach
27.2%
West Palm Beach +
White
Arlington
43.2%
West Palm Beach
44.0%
West Palm Beach +
Black
Arlington
22.4%
West Palm Beach
31.5%
West Palm Beach +
Asian
Arlington
7.3%
Arlington +
West Palm Beach
2.5%
Hispanic
Arlington
31.0%
Arlington +
West Palm Beach
24.6%
Spanish at Home
Arlington
N/A
West Palm Beach
N/A
| Metric | Arlington, TX | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 394,769 | 119,508 | Arlington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.6 | 40.2 | Arlington + |
| Foreign Born | 21.3% | 27.2% | West Palm Beach + |
| White | 43.2% | 44.0% | West Palm Beach + |
| Black | 22.4% | 31.5% | West Palm Beach + |
| Asian | 7.3% | 2.5% | Arlington + |
| Hispanic | 31.0% | 24.6% | Arlington + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Arlington
$73,519
Arlington +
West Palm Beach
$69,261
Per Capita Income
Arlington
$35,226
West Palm Beach
$44,508
West Palm Beach +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Arlington
$63,758
West Palm Beach
$65,328
West Palm Beach +
Unemployment Rate
Arlington
5.7%
West Palm Beach
5.4%
West Palm Beach +
Poverty Rate
Arlington
13.1%
Arlington +
West Palm Beach
14.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Arlington
33.1%
West Palm Beach
37.6%
West Palm Beach +
| Metric | Arlington, TX | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $73,519 | $69,261 | Arlington + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,226 | $44,508 | West Palm Beach + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $65,328 | West Palm Beach + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7% | 5.4% | West Palm Beach + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.1% | 14.8% | Arlington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.1% | 37.6% | West Palm Beach + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Arlington
$313,683
Arlington +
West Palm Beach
$399,650
Homeownership Rate
Arlington
54.8%
Arlington +
West Palm Beach
50.2%
| Metric | Arlington, TX | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $313,683 | $399,650 | Arlington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.8% | 50.2% | Arlington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Arlington
442
West Palm Beach
324
West Palm Beach +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Arlington
2339
West Palm Beach
1453
West Palm Beach +
| Metric | Arlington, TX | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 324 | West Palm Beach + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1453 | West Palm Beach + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Arlington
33.8%
West Palm Beach
29.1%
West Palm Beach +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Arlington
12.0%
Arlington +
West Palm Beach
13.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Arlington
18.2%
West Palm Beach
16.4%
West Palm Beach +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Arlington
18.4%
West Palm Beach
16.9%
West Palm Beach +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Arlington
16.0%
West Palm Beach
13.3%
West Palm Beach +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Arlington
13.3%
West Palm Beach
13.0%
West Palm Beach +
| Metric | Arlington, TX | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.8% | 29.1% | West Palm Beach + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 13.7% | Arlington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.2% | 16.4% | West Palm Beach + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 16.9% | West Palm Beach + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 13.3% | West Palm Beach + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 13.0% | West Palm Beach + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Arlington
65.4°F
Arlington +
West Palm Beach
75.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Arlington
39.6 in
Arlington +
West Palm Beach
62.3 in
| Metric | Arlington, TX | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.4°F | 75.4°F | Arlington + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.6 in | 62.3 in | Arlington + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Arlington
9.2 µg/m³
West Palm Beach
7.2 µg/m³
West Palm Beach +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Arlington
55.0%
West Palm Beach
75.0%
West Palm Beach +
| Metric | Arlington, TX | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | West Palm Beach + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | West Palm Beach + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Arlington
29.0 min
West Palm Beach
25.0 min
West Palm Beach +
| Metric | Arlington, TX | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.0 min | 25.0 min | West Palm Beach + |
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, West Palm Beach is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Arlington. West Palm Beach has a lower unemployment rate at 5.4%, and West Palm Beach has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, West Palm Beach scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.1%.
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