City comparison
No. Arlington's crime index is 132 versus 374 in Detroit, and its violent crime index is 130 versus 496, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Detroit is cheaper. Median rent is $1,132 a month versus $1,470 in Arlington.
Safety is where Detroit and Arlington split most clearly. Arlington scores 242 points better on the crime index, a gap that shows up in evening walks, parking situations, and insurance rates. Rent runs $1,132 in Detroit and $1,470 in Arlington.
Arlington is not a close call here. It leads on the job market, safety, and weather by margins that add up in daily life. Detroit 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. Detroit at $1,132 average has pockets that run $932 and others at $1,532: your actual number depends on which part of the city you land in.
The move
Detroit and Arlington are 1,014 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,132 a month in Detroit to $1,470 a month in Arlington, up $338 a month (30%).
Median household income goes from $60,539 in Detroit to $75,171 in Arlington, up $14,632 (24%).
The crime index goes from 374 in Detroit to 132 in Arlington, down 242 points (65%).
The move
Arlington and Detroit are 1,014 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,470 a month in Arlington to $1,132 a month in Detroit, down $338 a month (23%).
Median household income goes from $75,171 in Arlington to $60,539 in Detroit, down $14,632 (19%).
The crime index goes from 132 in Arlington to 374 in Detroit, up 242 points (183%).
Detroit, MI
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 Detroit and Arlington? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
23% cheaper
Detroit rent is 23% cheaper than Arlington
Detroit
Winner$1,132/mo
Arlington
$1,470/mo
Typical rent runs $1,132 a month in Detroit versus $1,470 in Arlington, so Detroit is 23% cheaper. That's roughly $338/month back in your pocket ($4,056/year). Over five years that's $20,280 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 Arlington, the extra rent can be rational. If you do not, Detroit 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
24% higher
Arlington's median income is 24% higher than Detroit
Detroit
$60,539
Arlington
Winner$75,171
Median household income is $75,171 in Arlington versus $60,539 in Detroit, so typical pay runs 24% higher in Arlington (about $14,632 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. Detroit can still win if housing is cheap enough to offset the weaker median or if your specific role already pays well there.
Crime index
65% lower crime
Arlington's crime index is 65% lower than Detroit
Detroit
374 (100 = avg)
Arlington
Winner132 (100 = avg)
Arlington's crime index is 132 versus 374 in Detroit (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 65% 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. Detroit can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
39% more comfortable
Arlington weather is 39% more comfortable than Detroit
Detroit
55°F avg · 62°F highs · comfort 72/100
Arlington
Winner67°F avg · 74°F highs · comfort 100/100
Detroit averages about 55°F (62°F highs); Arlington averages about 67°F (74°F highs). Detroit averages around 55°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Arlington sits near 67°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Arlington scores 39% 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 Detroit if you already prefer its hotter or cooler pattern and have budgeted for the AC or heating that comes with it.
Fit check
People with a job, family, or neighborhood already pulling them to Detroit
Detroit is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 23% cheaper here at about $1,132 a month. Choose Detroit 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 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 24% 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 65% lower than Detroit (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
Crime and safety tilt toward Arlington: Arlington scores 52/100 versus 20/100 in Detroit, with typical rent at $1,470 versus $1,132. I would vet the exact ZIP in Detroit before trading 32 safety points for housing savings.
Arlington still pays more locally ($75,171 median income vs $60,539), which can offset the lease if your field pays Arlington rates.
Weather averages land near 55°F in Detroit and 67°F in Arlington.
Arlington clears the bar on safety in this dataset. Detroit deserves a serious look only when you already know the Detroit block you would live on and the safety gap is acceptable.
Common questions
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Next steps
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Detroit and Arlington, plus other cities in MI and TX.
