City comparison
Yes. Arlington's crime index is 132 versus 341 in Cleveland, and its violent crime index is 130 versus 425, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Cleveland is cheaper. Median rent is $1,060 a month versus $1,470 in Arlington.
Safety is where Arlington and Cleveland split most clearly. Arlington scores 209 points better on the crime index, a gap that shows up in evening walks, parking situations, and insurance rates. Rent runs $1,470 in Arlington and $1,060 in Cleveland.
Arlington is not a close call here. It leads on the job market, safety, and weather by margins that add up in daily life. Cleveland 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. Cleveland at $1,060 average has pockets that run $860 and others at $1,460: your actual number depends on which part of the city you land in.
The move
Arlington and Cleveland are 1,040 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,470 a month in Arlington to $1,060 a month in Cleveland, down $410 a month (28%).
Median household income goes from $75,171 in Arlington to $64,468 in Cleveland, down $10,703 (14%).
The crime index goes from 132 in Arlington to 341 in Cleveland, up 209 points (158%).
The move
Cleveland and Arlington are 1,040 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,060 a month in Cleveland to $1,470 a month in Arlington, up $410 a month (39%).
Median household income goes from $64,468 in Cleveland to $75,171 in Arlington, up $10,703 (17%).
The crime index goes from 341 in Cleveland to 132 in Arlington, down 209 points (61%).
Arlington, TX
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Cleveland, OH
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing Arlington and Cleveland? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
28% cheaper
Cleveland rent is 28% cheaper than Arlington
Arlington
$1,470/mo
Cleveland
Winner$1,060/mo
Typical rent runs $1,060 a month in Cleveland versus $1,470 in Arlington, so Cleveland is 28% cheaper. That's roughly $410/month back in your pocket ($4,920/year). Over five years that's $24,600 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, Cleveland 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
17% higher
Arlington's median income is 17% higher than Cleveland
Arlington
Winner$75,171
Cleveland
$64,468
Median household income is $75,171 in Arlington versus $64,468 in Cleveland, so typical pay runs 17% higher in Arlington (about $10,703 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. Cleveland can still win if housing is cheap enough to offset the weaker median or if your specific role already pays well there.
Crime index
61% lower crime
Arlington's crime index is 61% lower than Cleveland
Arlington
Winner132 (100 = avg)
Cleveland
341 (100 = avg)
Arlington's crime index is 132 versus 341 in Cleveland (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 61% 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. Cleveland 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 Cleveland
Arlington
Winner67°F avg · 74°F highs · comfort 100/100
Cleveland
53°F avg · 58°F highs · comfort 66/100
Arlington averages about 67°F (74°F highs); Cleveland averages about 53°F (58°F highs). Arlington sits near 67°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Cleveland 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 Cleveland 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 17% 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 61% lower than Cleveland (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 Cleveland
Cleveland is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 28% cheaper here at about $1,060 a month. Choose Cleveland if you are stretching a salary, starting over, or want slack for travel and debt instead of a flashier skyline.
Bottom line
Cleveland carries the heavier crime signal on this page (23/100 safety vs 52/100 in Arlington). That 29-point spread matters more than the $410 rent gap when you are choosing where to walk after dark.
Arlington still pays more locally ($75,171 median income vs $64,468), which can offset the lease if your field pays Arlington rates.
Weather averages land near 67°F in Arlington and 53°F in Cleveland.
Pick Arlington when you want the stronger safety signal (52/100). Otherwise, Cleveland's case rests on a Cleveland ZIP you trust at $1,060 rent.
Common questions
Ready to move to Arlington?
Next steps
Quotes and listings for Arlington when you're ready to act.
Keep researching
Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Arlington and Cleveland, plus other cities in TX and OH.
