City comparison
Yes. Arlington's crime index is 132 versus 158 in Riverside, and its violent crime index is 130 versus 163, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Arlington is cheaper. Median rent is $1,470 a month versus $1,914 in Riverside.
The cost gap between Arlington and Riverside is the real story here. Arlington comes in 23% cheaper on typical rent ($1,470 vs $1,914), which over a year adds up to $5,328. Median household income runs $75,171 in Arlington and $91,045 in Riverside.
This is a genuine split. Arlington wins on cost of living and safety and Riverside wins on the job market. 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 Riverside are 1,172 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,470 a month in Arlington to $1,914 a month in Riverside, up $444 a month (30%).
Median household income goes from $75,171 in Arlington to $91,045 in Riverside, up $15,874 (21%).
The crime index goes from 132 in Arlington to 158 in Riverside, up 26 points (20%).
The move
Riverside and Arlington are 1,172 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,914 a month in Riverside to $1,470 a month in Arlington, down $444 a month (23%).
Median household income goes from $91,045 in Riverside to $75,171 in Arlington, down $15,874 (17%).
The crime index goes from 158 in Riverside to 132 in Arlington, down 26 points (16%).
Arlington, TX
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Riverside, CA
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing Arlington and Riverside? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
23% cheaper
Arlington rent is 23% cheaper than Riverside
Arlington
Winner$1,470/mo
Riverside
$1,914/mo
Typical rent runs $1,470 a month in Arlington versus $1,914 in Riverside, so Arlington is 23% cheaper. That's roughly $444/month back in your pocket ($5,328/year). Over five years that's $26,640 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 Riverside, 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 Arlington? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
21% higher
Riverside's median income is 21% higher than Arlington
Arlington
$75,171
Riverside
Winner$91,045
Median household income is $91,045 in Riverside versus $75,171 in Arlington, so typical pay runs 21% higher in Riverside (about $15,874 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, Riverside 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
16% lower crime
Arlington's crime index is 16% lower than Riverside
Arlington
Winner132 (100 = avg)
Riverside
158 (100 = avg)
Arlington's crime index is 132 versus 158 in Riverside (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 16% 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. Riverside 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 Riverside are about even on typical weather.
Arlington
67°F avg · 74°F highs · comfort 100/100
Riverside
77°F avg · 84°F highs · comfort 100/100
Arlington averages about 67°F (74°F highs); Riverside averages about 77°F (84°F highs). Arlington sits near 67°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Riverside sits near 77°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
Families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy
Arlington is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 23% 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.
Arlington is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 16% lower than Riverside (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
Career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth
Riverside is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 21% higher here ($91,045). Start with Riverside if your next chapter is about building earnings, and make weather or nightlife a secondary screen.
Bottom line
Housing separates these metros first: $1,470/month in Arlington versus $1,914 in Riverside. Median income reads $75,171 in Arlington and $91,045 in Riverside, which matters when you stack rent against take-home pay.
Arlington rent at $1,470/month is still below Riverside's $1,914, so cost-sensitive households should weigh the lease before the paycheck.
Safety scores read 52/100 in Arlington and 46/100 in Riverside.
Arlington clears the bar on housing cost in this dataset. Riverside deserves a serious look only when your $91,045 income offer in Riverside outweighs saving $444/month in Arlington.
Common questions
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Next steps
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Arlington and Riverside, plus other cities in TX and CA.
