City comparison
Yes. Arlington's crime index is 132 versus 231 in Cincinnati, and its violent crime index is 130 versus 237, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Cincinnati is cheaper. Median rent is $1,001 a month versus $1,470 in Arlington.
Climate is the sharpest divide between Arlington and Cincinnati. Arlington averages 67°F while Cincinnati averages 53°F, a difference that affects utility bills, outdoor lifestyle, and how you feel nine months of the year. Rent runs $1,470 versus $1,001.
Arlington is not a close call here. It leads on the job market, safety, and weather by margins that add up in daily life. Cincinnati makes sense if you have a specific reason, a job offer, family, or a neighborhood you already know, but on the numbers alone Arlington is the stronger move.
The rent gap is real but neighborhoods matter. Cincinnati at $1,001 average has pockets that run $801 and others at $1,401: your actual number depends on which part of the city you land in.
The move
Arlington and Cincinnati are 830 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,470 a month in Arlington to $1,001 a month in Cincinnati, down $469 a month (32%).
Median household income goes from $75,171 in Arlington to $52,909 in Cincinnati, down $22,262 (30%).
The crime index goes from 132 in Arlington to 231 in Cincinnati, up 99 points (75%).
The move
Cincinnati and Arlington are 830 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,001 a month in Cincinnati to $1,470 a month in Arlington, up $469 a month (47%).
Median household income goes from $52,909 in Cincinnati to $75,171 in Arlington, up $22,262 (42%).
The crime index goes from 231 in Cincinnati to 132 in Arlington, down 99 points (43%).
Arlington, TX
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Cincinnati, OH
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing Arlington and Cincinnati? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
32% cheaper
Cincinnati rent is 32% cheaper than Arlington
Arlington
$1,470/mo
Cincinnati
Winner$1,001/mo
Typical rent runs $1,001 a month in Cincinnati versus $1,470 in Arlington, so Cincinnati is 32% cheaper. That's roughly $469/month back in your pocket ($5,628/year). Over five years that's $28,140 you could redirect toward a down payment, travel, or investments. Housing is the bill you pay before groceries, childcare, or a social life, so that gap shows up in how often you eat out and how panicked a rent hike feels. If you already have a high-paying offer in Arlington, the extra rent can be rational. If you do not, Cincinnati is the easier city to land in without blowing up your budget.
Planning to buy in Arlington? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
42% higher
Arlington's median income is 42% higher than Cincinnati
Arlington
Winner$75,171
Cincinnati
$52,909
Median household income is $75,171 in Arlington versus $52,909 in Cincinnati, so typical pay runs 42% higher in Arlington (about $22,262 more household income a year). Higher median income usually signals a stronger local job market and better negotiating leverage on salary. Remote workers should weigh this against cost of living rather than treating it as a direct personal benefit. For people who will actually work in town, Arlington is the stronger labor market on paper. Cincinnati can still win if housing is cheap enough to offset the weaker median or if your specific role already pays well there.
Crime index
43% lower crime
Arlington's crime index is 43% lower than Cincinnati
Arlington
Winner132 (100 = avg)
Cincinnati
231 (100 = avg)
Arlington's crime index is 132 versus 231 in Cincinnati (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 43% lower in Arlington. That gap is meaningful day-to-day. It affects whether you feel comfortable walking at night, leaving your car on the street, or letting kids play outside unsupervised. Indexes still compress a lot of reality: a calmer city has blocks you would skip, and a higher-crime city has streets that feel neighborly at 10 p.m. On the everyday test of walking from the car to the door, Arlington is the easier city. Cincinnati can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
52% more comfortable
Arlington weather is 52% more comfortable than Cincinnati
Arlington
Winner67°F avg · 74°F highs · comfort 100/100
Cincinnati
53°F avg · 62°F highs · comfort 66/100
Arlington averages about 67°F (74°F highs); Cincinnati averages about 53°F (62°F highs). Arlington sits near 67°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Cincinnati averages around 53°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Arlington scores 52% closer to the 65-80°F comfort band on this page, so it is the easier default for year-round outdoor errands and evenings. Choose Cincinnati if you already prefer its hotter or cooler pattern and have budgeted for the AC or heating that comes with it.
Fit check
Career-focused movers who want salary upside plus year-round outdoor access
It is also a match for career-focused movers who want salary upside and year-round outdoor access. Median household income runs 42% higher ($75,171), and typical weather is the more comfortable of the two (around 67°F). That pairing is for people who will work hard and then actually use the evenings.
Arlington is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 43% lower than Cincinnati (132 vs a 100 national average). That gap shows up in how freely you walk at night and how much attention you spend on the car and the deadbolt.
Fit check
People with a job, family, or neighborhood already pulling them to Cincinnati
Cincinnati is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 32% cheaper here at about $1,001 a month. Choose Cincinnati if you are stretching a salary, starting over, or want slack for travel and debt instead of a flashier skyline.
Bottom line
Crime and safety tilt toward Arlington: Arlington scores 52/100 versus 35/100 in Cincinnati, with typical rent at $1,470 versus $1,001. I would vet the exact ZIP in Cincinnati before trading 17 safety points for housing savings.
Arlington still pays more locally ($75,171 median income vs $52,909), which can offset the lease if your field pays Arlington rates.
Median income is $75,171 in Arlington versus $52,909 in Cincinnati.
Arlington clears the bar on safety in this dataset. Cincinnati deserves a serious look only when you already know the Cincinnati block you would live on and the safety gap is acceptable.
Common questions
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Nearby research
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