Arlington TX vs Worcester MA — 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%
Worcester, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 205,501
- Median HH Income$67,544
- Median Home Price$435,532
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+34.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Arlington
394,769
Arlington +
Worcester
205,501
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Arlington
N/A
Worcester
N/A
Median Age
Arlington
33.6
Arlington +
Worcester
34.1
Foreign Born
Arlington
21.3%
Worcester
23.2%
Worcester +
White
Arlington
43.2%
Worcester
58.0%
Worcester +
Black
Arlington
22.4%
Arlington +
Worcester
12.1%
Asian
Arlington
7.3%
Arlington +
Worcester
6.9%
Hispanic
Arlington
31.0%
Arlington +
Worcester
24.9%
Spanish at Home
Arlington
N/A
Worcester
N/A
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 394,769 | 205,501 | Arlington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.6 | 34.1 | Arlington + |
| Foreign Born | 21.3% | 23.2% | Worcester + |
| White | 43.2% | 58.0% | Worcester + |
| Black | 22.4% | 12.1% | Arlington + |
| Asian | 7.3% | 6.9% | Arlington + |
| Hispanic | 31.0% | 24.9% | Arlington + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Arlington
$73,519
Arlington +
Worcester
$67,544
Per Capita Income
Arlington
$35,226
Worcester
$35,825
Worcester +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Arlington
$63,758
Worcester
$85,405
Worcester +
Unemployment Rate
Arlington
5.7%
Arlington +
Worcester
6.4%
Poverty Rate
Arlington
13.1%
Arlington +
Worcester
19.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Arlington
33.1%
Worcester
34.1%
Worcester +
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $73,519 | $67,544 | Arlington + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,226 | $35,825 | Worcester + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $85,405 | Worcester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7% | 6.4% | Arlington + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.1% | 19.8% | Arlington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.1% | 34.1% | Worcester + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Arlington
$313,683
Arlington +
Worcester
$435,532
Homeownership Rate
Arlington
54.8%
Arlington +
Worcester
42.4%
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $313,683 | $435,532 | Arlington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.8% | 42.4% | Arlington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Arlington
442
Worcester
326
Worcester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Arlington
2339
Worcester
1086
Worcester +
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 326 | Worcester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1086 | Worcester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Arlington
33.8%
Arlington +
Worcester
35.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Arlington
12.0%
Worcester
11.4%
Worcester +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Arlington
18.2%
Arlington +
Worcester
19.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Arlington
18.4%
Worcester
8.7%
Worcester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Arlington
16.0%
Arlington +
Worcester
17.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Arlington
13.3%
Arlington +
Worcester
14.5%
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.8% | 35.3% | Arlington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 11.4% | Worcester + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.2% | 19.9% | Arlington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 8.7% | Worcester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 17.1% | Arlington + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 14.5% | Arlington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Arlington
65.4°F
Worcester
47.9°F
Worcester +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Arlington
39.6 in
Arlington +
Worcester
48.1 in
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.4°F | 47.9°F | Worcester + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.6 in | 48.1 in | Arlington + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Arlington
9.2 µg/m³
Worcester
7.2 µg/m³
Worcester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Arlington
55.0%
Worcester
75.0%
Worcester +
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Worcester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Worcester + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Arlington
29.0 min
Worcester
27.3 min
Worcester +
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.0 min | 27.3 min | Worcester + |
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, Worcester is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Arlington. Arlington has a lower unemployment rate at 5.7%, and Worcester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Arlington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.8%.
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