City comparison
Yes. Arlington's crime index is 132 versus 169 in Richmond, and its violent crime index is 130 versus 122, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Richmond is cheaper. Median rent is $1,372 a month versus $1,470 in Arlington.
Safety is where Arlington and Richmond split most clearly. Arlington scores 37 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 $1,372 in Richmond.
Arlington is not a close call here. It leads on the job market, safety, and weather by margins that add up in daily life. Richmond 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 crime gap is citywide. Arlington has rougher pockets and Richmond has quiet ones: the index tells you the average, not your block.
The move
Arlington and Richmond are 1,156 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,470 a month in Arlington to $1,372 a month in Richmond, down $98 a month (7%).
Median household income goes from $75,171 in Arlington to $64,587 in Richmond, down $10,584 (14%).
The crime index goes from 132 in Arlington to 169 in Richmond, up 37 points (28%).
The move
Richmond and Arlington are 1,156 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,372 a month in Richmond to $1,470 a month in Arlington, up $98 a month (7%).
Median household income goes from $64,587 in Richmond to $75,171 in Arlington, up $10,584 (16%).
The crime index goes from 169 in Richmond to 132 in Arlington, down 37 points (22%).
Arlington, TX
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Richmond, VA
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing Arlington and Richmond? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
7% cheaper
Richmond rent is 7% cheaper than Arlington
Arlington
$1,470/mo
Richmond
Winner$1,372/mo
Typical rent runs $1,372 a month in Richmond versus $1,470 in Arlington, so Richmond is 7% cheaper. The monthly spread is about $98, or $1,176 a year: noticeable, but rent alone should not pick the city. Use this as a tie-breaker after you compare income, schools, and crime, unless you are already stretching every dollar.
Planning to buy in Arlington? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
16% higher
Arlington's median income is 16% higher than Richmond
Arlington
Winner$75,171
Richmond
$64,587
Median household income is $75,171 in Arlington versus $64,587 in Richmond, so typical pay runs 16% higher in Arlington (about $10,584 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. Richmond can still win if housing is cheap enough to offset the weaker median or if your specific role already pays well there.
Crime index
22% lower crime
Arlington's crime index is 22% lower than Richmond
Arlington
Winner132 (100 = avg)
Richmond
169 (100 = avg)
Arlington's crime index is 132 versus 169 in Richmond (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 22% 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. Richmond can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
28% more comfortable
Arlington weather is 28% more comfortable than Richmond
Arlington
Winner67°F avg · 74°F highs · comfort 100/100
Richmond
57°F avg · 66°F highs · comfort 78/100
Arlington averages about 67°F (74°F highs); Richmond averages about 57°F (66°F highs). Arlington sits near 67°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Richmond averages around 57°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Arlington scores 28% 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 Richmond 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 16% 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 22% lower than Richmond (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 Richmond
Richmond is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 7% cheaper here at about $1,372 a month. Choose Richmond 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 44/100 in Richmond, with typical rent at $1,470 versus $1,372. I would vet the exact ZIP in Richmond before trading 8 safety points for housing savings.
Safety still diverges (52/100 in Arlington vs 44/100 in Richmond), so climate preference should not be the only filter.
Median income is $75,171 in Arlington versus $64,587 in Richmond.
If safety drives your move, Arlington is the stronger match (52/100 safety versus 44/100). If an employer or family tie already points to Richmond, treat $1,372/month rent and $64,587 income as the numbers that actually govern the decision.
Common questions
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Next steps
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Arlington and Richmond, plus other cities in TX and VA.
