City comparison
No. Frisco's crime index is 43 versus 132 in Arlington, and its violent crime index is 31 versus 130, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Arlington is cheaper. Median rent is $1,470 a month versus $2,014 in Frisco.
The income gap between Arlington and Frisco is significant: $75,171 median household versus $150,212. That spread matters more if you are job hunting locally than if you are remote. Typical rent is $1,470 in Arlington and $2,014 in Frisco.
This is a genuine split. Arlington wins on cost of living and Frisco wins on the job market and safety. Which matters more depends entirely on how you live: remote workers and families weight these categories differently than commuters or single professionals.
The rent gap is real but neighborhoods matter. Arlington at $1,470 average has pockets that run $1,270 and others at $1,870: your actual number depends on which part of the city you land in.
The move
Arlington and Frisco are 33 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,470 a month in Arlington to $2,014 a month in Frisco, up $544 a month (37%).
Median household income goes from $75,171 in Arlington to $150,212 in Frisco, up $75,041 (100%).
The crime index goes from 132 in Arlington to 43 in Frisco, down 89 points (67%).
The move
Frisco and Arlington are 33 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $2,014 a month in Frisco to $1,470 a month in Arlington, down $544 a month (27%).
Median household income goes from $150,212 in Frisco to $75,171 in Arlington, down $75,041 (50%).
The crime index goes from 43 in Frisco to 132 in Arlington, up 89 points (207%).
Arlington, TX
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Frisco, TX
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing Arlington and Frisco? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
27% cheaper
Arlington rent is 27% cheaper than Frisco
Arlington
Winner$1,470/mo
Frisco
$2,014/mo
Typical rent runs $1,470 a month in Arlington versus $2,014 in Frisco, so Arlington is 27% cheaper. That's roughly $544/month back in your pocket ($6,528/year). Over five years that's $32,640 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 Frisco, the extra rent can be rational. If you do not, Arlington is the easier city to land in without blowing up your budget.
Planning to buy in Frisco? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
100% higher
Frisco's median income is 100% higher than Arlington
Arlington
$75,171
Frisco
Winner$150,212
Median household income is $150,212 in Frisco versus $75,171 in Arlington, so typical pay runs 100% higher in Frisco (about $75,041 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, Frisco is the stronger labor market on paper. Arlington can still win if housing is cheap enough to offset the weaker median or if your specific role already pays well there.
Crime index
67% lower crime
Frisco's crime index is 67% lower than Arlington
Arlington
132 (100 = avg)
Frisco
Winner43 (100 = avg)
Frisco's crime index is 43 versus 132 in Arlington (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 67% lower in Frisco. 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, Frisco is the easier city. Arlington can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
Neck and neck
Arlington and Frisco are about even on typical weather.
Arlington
67°F avg · 74°F highs · comfort 100/100
Frisco
68°F avg · 76°F highs · comfort 100/100
Arlington averages about 67°F (74°F highs); Frisco averages about 68°F (76°F highs). Arlington sits near 67°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Frisco sits near 68°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. On daily comfort these two are close enough that the better fit is whichever season you already know you can live with.
Fit check
People with a job, family, or neighborhood already pulling them to Arlington
Arlington is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 27% cheaper here at about $1,470 a month. Choose Arlington if you are stretching a salary, starting over, or want slack for travel and debt instead of a flashier skyline.
Fit check
Career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth
Frisco is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 100% higher here ($150,212). Start with Frisco if your next chapter is about building earnings, and make weather or nightlife a secondary screen.
Frisco is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 67% lower than Arlington (43 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.
Bottom line
Neither city is a free pass on neighborhood choice, but Frisco leads on safety (86/100 vs 52/100 in Arlington). Typical rent is $2,014 in Frisco and $1,470 in Arlington; do not assume the cheaper lease buys the calmer blocks.
Arlington rent at $1,470/month is still below Frisco's $2,014, so cost-sensitive households should weigh the lease before the paycheck.
Typical rent stays $1,470 in Arlington and $2,014 in Frisco.
Between Arlington and Frisco, Frisco is ahead on safety — 86/100 safety versus 52/100. Lean Arlington instead when you already know the Arlington block you would live on and the safety gap is acceptable.
Common questions
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Next steps
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Arlington and Frisco, plus other cities in TX.
