City comparison
Yes. Arlington's crime index is 132 versus 134 in Huntsville, and its violent crime index is 130 versus 127, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Huntsville is cheaper. Median rent is $1,171 a month versus $1,470 in Arlington.
Arlington and Huntsville are closer on paper than many city pairs, so the move comes down to how you weight cost, safety, and climate. Typical rent sits near $1,470 in Arlington and $1,171 in Huntsville, and median household income lands at $75,171 versus $74,714. Use the category rows below to see which gaps would change your daily life.
Arlington is not a close call here. It leads on the job market, safety, and weather by margins that add up in daily life. Huntsville 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. Huntsville at $1,171 average has pockets that run $971 and others at $1,571: your actual number depends on which part of the city you land in.
The move
Arlington and Huntsville are 620 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,470 a month in Arlington to $1,171 a month in Huntsville, down $299 a month (20%).
Median household income goes from $75,171 in Arlington to $74,714 in Huntsville, down $457 (1%).
The crime index goes from 132 in Arlington to 134 in Huntsville, up 2 points (2%).
The move
Huntsville and Arlington are 620 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,171 a month in Huntsville to $1,470 a month in Arlington, up $299 a month (26%).
Median household income goes from $74,714 in Huntsville to $75,171 in Arlington, up $457 (1%).
The crime index goes from 134 in Huntsville to 132 in Arlington, down 2 points (1%).
Arlington, TX
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Huntsville, AL
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing Arlington and Huntsville? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
20% cheaper
Huntsville rent is 20% cheaper than Arlington
Arlington
$1,470/mo
Huntsville
Winner$1,171/mo
Typical rent runs $1,171 a month in Huntsville versus $1,470 in Arlington, so Huntsville is 20% cheaper. A meaningful but not dramatic gap. Factor it into your budget alongside salary differences between the two markets. Over a year the spread is about $3,588, enough to notice in savings, not enough to ignore schools, safety, or pay. Huntsville still wins on housing cost; just do not let a 10–20% rent edge override a job that only exists in Arlington.
Planning to buy in Arlington? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
1% higher
Arlington's median income is 1% higher than Huntsville
Arlington
Winner$75,171
Huntsville
$74,714
Median household income is $75,171 in Arlington versus $74,714 in Huntsville, so typical pay runs 1% higher in Arlington (about $457 more household income a year). The income edge is modest. Treat it as extra negotiating context, not a reason to ignore rent, schools, or climate. Remote workers especially should not treat citywide pay as a personal raise if their employer will not localize salary.
Crime index
1% lower crime
Arlington's crime index is 1% lower than Huntsville
Arlington
Winner132 (100 = avg)
Huntsville
134 (100 = avg)
Arlington's crime index is 132 versus 134 in Huntsville (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 1% lower in Arlington. The difference is noticeable without being night-and-day. You will still want to pick the neighborhood carefully in Arlington, but you will usually spend less energy on constant vigilance than you would in Huntsville. Tour both cities after dark before you let a modest index gap close the decision.
Typical weather
6% more comfortable
Arlington weather is 6% more comfortable than Huntsville
Arlington
Winner67°F avg · 74°F highs · comfort 100/100
Huntsville
63°F avg · 74°F highs · comfort 94/100
Arlington averages about 67°F (74°F highs); Huntsville averages about 63°F (74°F highs). Arlington sits near 67°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Huntsville averages around 63°F. Arlington scores 6% 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 Huntsville 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 1% 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 1% lower than Huntsville (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 Huntsville
Huntsville is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 20% cheaper here at about $1,171 a month. Choose Huntsville if you are stretching a salary, starting over, or want slack for travel and debt instead of a flashier skyline.
Bottom line
Rent is the clearest fork: Huntsville at $1,171/month versus $1,470 in Arlington ($299 apart). Arlington median income is $75,171 against $74,714 in Huntsville, so the cheaper lease does not always pair with the stronger local wage base.
Huntsville rent at $1,171/month is still below Arlington's $1,470, so cost-sensitive households should weigh the lease before the paycheck.
Safety scores read 52/100 in Arlington and 51/100 in Huntsville.
Huntsville clears the bar on housing cost in this dataset. Arlington deserves a serious look only when your $75,171 income offer in Arlington outweighs saving $299/month in Huntsville.
Common questions
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Next steps
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Arlington and Huntsville, plus other cities in TX and AL.
