City comparison
No. Arlington's crime index is 132 versus 270 in Houston, and its violent crime index is 130 versus 294, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Houston is cheaper. Median rent is $1,361 a month versus $1,470 in Arlington.
Safety is where Houston and Arlington split most clearly. Arlington scores 138 points better on the crime index, a gap that shows up in evening walks, parking situations, and insurance rates. Rent runs $1,361 in Houston and $1,470 in Arlington.
This is a genuine split. Houston wins on cost of living and Arlington 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 crime gap is citywide. Arlington has rougher pockets and Houston has quiet ones: the index tells you the average, not your block.
The move
Houston and Arlington are 230 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,361 a month in Houston to $1,470 a month in Arlington, up $109 a month (8%).
Median household income goes from $64,813 in Houston to $75,171 in Arlington, up $10,358 (16%).
The crime index goes from 270 in Houston to 132 in Arlington, down 138 points (51%).
The move
Arlington and Houston are 230 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,470 a month in Arlington to $1,361 a month in Houston, down $109 a month (7%).
Median household income goes from $75,171 in Arlington to $64,813 in Houston, down $10,358 (14%).
The crime index goes from 132 in Arlington to 270 in Houston, up 138 points (105%).
Houston, TX
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 Houston and Arlington? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
7% cheaper
Houston rent is 7% cheaper than Arlington
Houston
Winner$1,361/mo
Arlington
$1,470/mo
Typical rent runs $1,361 a month in Houston versus $1,470 in Arlington, so Houston is 7% cheaper. The monthly spread is about $109, or $1,308 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 Houston
Houston
$64,813
Arlington
Winner$75,171
Median household income is $75,171 in Arlington versus $64,813 in Houston, so typical pay runs 16% higher in Arlington (about $10,358 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. Houston 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 Houston
Houston
270 (100 = avg)
Arlington
Winner132 (100 = avg)
Arlington's crime index is 132 versus 270 in Houston (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. Houston can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
Neck and neck
Houston and Arlington are about even on typical weather.
Houston
70°F avg · 78°F highs · comfort 100/100
Arlington
67°F avg · 74°F highs · comfort 100/100
Houston averages about 70°F (78°F highs); Arlington averages about 67°F (74°F highs). Houston sits near 70°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Arlington sits near 67°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 Houston
Houston is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 7% cheaper here at about $1,361 a month. Choose Houston 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
Arlington is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 16% higher here ($75,171). Start with Arlington if your next chapter is about building earnings, and make weather or nightlife a secondary screen.
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 Houston (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
Safety is the widest gap: Arlington scores 52/100 versus 30/100 in Houston. Rent is $1,470/month in Arlington and $1,361/month in Houston, so you are not buying calm streets for free.
Houston rent at $1,361/month is still below Arlington's $1,470, so cost-sensitive households should weigh the lease before the paycheck.
Typical rent stays $1,361 in Houston and $1,470 in Arlington.
Most movers who prioritize safety land in Arlington; Houston only makes sense when you have walked the Houston ZIP you would rent and accept the trade for $1,361 rent.
Common questions
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Next steps
Quotes and listings for Arlington when you're ready to act.
Keep researching
Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Houston and Arlington, plus other cities in TX.
