City comparison
No. Scottsdale's crime index is 79 versus 132 in Arlington, and its violent crime index is 48 versus 130, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Arlington is cheaper. Median rent is $1,470 a month versus $2,013 in Scottsdale.
The income gap between Arlington and Scottsdale is significant: $75,171 median household versus $110,886. That spread matters more if you are job hunting locally than if you are remote. Typical rent is $1,470 in Arlington and $2,013 in Scottsdale.
This is a genuine split. Arlington wins on cost of living and Scottsdale 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 Scottsdale are 857 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,470 a month in Arlington to $2,013 a month in Scottsdale, up $543 a month (37%).
Median household income goes from $75,171 in Arlington to $110,886 in Scottsdale, up $35,715 (48%).
The crime index goes from 132 in Arlington to 79 in Scottsdale, down 53 points (40%).
The move
Scottsdale and Arlington are 857 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $2,013 a month in Scottsdale to $1,470 a month in Arlington, down $543 a month (27%).
Median household income goes from $110,886 in Scottsdale to $75,171 in Arlington, down $35,715 (32%).
The crime index goes from 79 in Scottsdale to 132 in Arlington, up 53 points (67%).
Arlington, TX
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Scottsdale, AZ
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing Arlington and Scottsdale? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
27% cheaper
Arlington rent is 27% cheaper than Scottsdale
Arlington
Winner$1,470/mo
Scottsdale
$2,013/mo
Typical rent runs $1,470 a month in Arlington versus $2,013 in Scottsdale, so Arlington is 27% cheaper. That's roughly $543/month back in your pocket ($6,516/year). Over five years that's $32,580 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 Scottsdale, 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 Scottsdale? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
48% higher
Scottsdale's median income is 48% higher than Arlington
Arlington
$75,171
Scottsdale
Winner$110,886
Median household income is $110,886 in Scottsdale versus $75,171 in Arlington, so typical pay runs 48% higher in Scottsdale (about $35,715 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, Scottsdale 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
40% lower crime
Scottsdale's crime index is 40% lower than Arlington
Arlington
132 (100 = avg)
Scottsdale
Winner79 (100 = avg)
Scottsdale's crime index is 79 versus 132 in Arlington (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 40% lower in Scottsdale. 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, Scottsdale 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 Scottsdale are about even on typical weather.
Arlington
67°F avg · 74°F highs · comfort 100/100
Scottsdale
74°F avg · 80°F highs · comfort 100/100
Arlington averages about 67°F (74°F highs); Scottsdale averages about 74°F (80°F highs). Arlington sits near 67°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Scottsdale sits near 74°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
Scottsdale is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 48% higher here ($110,886). Start with Scottsdale if your next chapter is about building earnings, and make weather or nightlife a secondary screen.
Scottsdale is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 40% lower than Arlington (79 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
Arlington carries the heavier crime signal on this page (52/100 safety vs 67/100 in Scottsdale). That 15-point spread matters more than the $543 rent gap when you are choosing where to walk after dark.
Arlington rent at $1,470/month is still below Scottsdale's $2,013, so cost-sensitive households should weigh the lease before the paycheck.
Typical rent stays $1,470 in Arlington and $2,013 in Scottsdale.
If safety drives your move, Scottsdale is the stronger match (67/100 safety versus 52/100). If an employer or family tie already points to Arlington, treat $1,470/month rent and $75,171 income as the numbers that actually govern the decision.
Common questions
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Nearby research
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