City comparison
No. Arlington's crime index is 132 versus 271 in Denver, and its violent crime index is 130 versus 272, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Arlington is cheaper. Median rent is $1,470 a month versus $1,831 in Denver.
Safety is where Denver and Arlington split most clearly. Arlington scores 139 points better on the crime index, a gap that shows up in evening walks, parking situations, and insurance rates. Rent runs $1,831 in Denver and $1,470 in Arlington.
Arlington is not a close call here. It leads on cost of living, safety, and weather by margins that add up in daily life. Denver 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. 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
Denver and Arlington are 653 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,831 a month in Denver to $1,470 a month in Arlington, down $361 a month (20%).
Median household income goes from $94,718 in Denver to $75,171 in Arlington, down $19,547 (21%).
The crime index goes from 271 in Denver to 132 in Arlington, down 139 points (51%).
The move
Arlington and Denver are 653 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,470 a month in Arlington to $1,831 a month in Denver, up $361 a month (25%).
Median household income goes from $75,171 in Arlington to $94,718 in Denver, up $19,547 (26%).
The crime index goes from 132 in Arlington to 271 in Denver, up 139 points (105%).
Denver, CO
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Arlington, TX
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing Denver and Arlington? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
20% cheaper
Arlington rent is 20% cheaper than Denver
Denver
$1,831/mo
Arlington
Winner$1,470/mo
Typical rent runs $1,470 a month in Arlington versus $1,831 in Denver, so Arlington 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 $4,332, enough to notice in savings, not enough to ignore schools, safety, or pay. Arlington still wins on housing cost; just do not let a 10–20% rent edge override a job that only exists in Denver.
Planning to buy in Arlington? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
26% higher
Denver's median income is 26% higher than Arlington
Denver
Winner$94,718
Arlington
$75,171
Median household income is $94,718 in Denver versus $75,171 in Arlington, so typical pay runs 26% higher in Denver (about $19,547 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, Denver 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
51% lower crime
Arlington's crime index is 51% lower than Denver
Denver
271 (100 = avg)
Arlington
Winner132 (100 = avg)
Arlington's crime index is 132 versus 271 in Denver (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 51% 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. Denver can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
9% more comfortable
Arlington weather is 9% more comfortable than Denver
Denver
62°F avg · 71°F highs · comfort 92/100
Arlington
Winner67°F avg · 74°F highs · comfort 100/100
Denver averages about 62°F (71°F highs); Arlington averages about 67°F (74°F highs). Denver averages around 62°F. Arlington sits near 67°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Arlington scores 9% 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 Denver 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 and professional growth
Denver is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 26% higher here ($94,718). Start with Denver if your next chapter is about building earnings, and make weather or nightlife a secondary screen.
Fit check
Outdoor enthusiasts and people who need year-round access to nature for their wellbeing
Arlington is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 20% 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.
Pick Arlington if you are an outdoor enthusiast or you need year-round access to nature for your wellbeing. Typical conditions (67°F) beat Denver on this page's weather index by 9%. Denver may pay more or cost less, but Arlington is the city where the forecast fights you less.
Arlington is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 51% lower than Denver (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.
Bottom line
Neither city is a free pass on neighborhood choice, but Arlington leads on safety (52/100 vs 30/100 in Denver). Typical rent is $1,470 in Arlington and $1,831 in Denver; do not assume the cheaper lease buys the calmer blocks.
Denver still pays more locally ($94,718 median income vs $75,171), which can offset the lease if your field pays Denver rates.
Median income is $94,718 in Denver versus $75,171 in Arlington.
Arlington is ahead on safety (52/100 vs 30/100); Denver is still viable when you have a vetted ZIP there and $1,831/month rent plus $94,718 income fit your budget better than the safety margin.
Common questions
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Next steps
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Nearby research
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