City comparison
No. Arlington's crime index is 132 versus 187 in Long Beach, and its violent crime index is 130 versus 189, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Arlington is cheaper. Median rent is $1,470 a month versus $1,871 in Long Beach.
Safety is where Long Beach and Arlington split most clearly. Arlington scores 55 points better on the crime index, a gap that shows up in evening walks, parking situations, and insurance rates. Rent runs $1,871 in Long Beach and $1,470 in Arlington.
This is a genuine split. Long Beach wins on the job market and Arlington wins on cost of living 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
Long Beach and Arlington are 1,218 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,871 a month in Long Beach to $1,470 a month in Arlington, down $401 a month (21%).
Median household income goes from $87,430 in Long Beach to $75,171 in Arlington, down $12,259 (14%).
The crime index goes from 187 in Long Beach to 132 in Arlington, down 55 points (29%).
The move
Arlington and Long Beach are 1,218 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,470 a month in Arlington to $1,871 a month in Long Beach, up $401 a month (27%).
Median household income goes from $75,171 in Arlington to $87,430 in Long Beach, up $12,259 (16%).
The crime index goes from 132 in Arlington to 187 in Long Beach, up 55 points (42%).
Long Beach, CA
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 Long Beach and Arlington? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
21% cheaper
Arlington rent is 21% cheaper than Long Beach
Long Beach
$1,871/mo
Arlington
Winner$1,470/mo
Typical rent runs $1,470 a month in Arlington versus $1,871 in Long Beach, so Arlington is 21% cheaper. That's roughly $401/month back in your pocket ($4,812/year). Over five years that's $24,060 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 Long Beach, 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
16% higher
Long Beach's median income is 16% higher than Arlington
Long Beach
Winner$87,430
Arlington
$75,171
Median household income is $87,430 in Long Beach versus $75,171 in Arlington, so typical pay runs 16% higher in Long Beach (about $12,259 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, Long Beach 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
29% lower crime
Arlington's crime index is 29% lower than Long Beach
Long Beach
187 (100 = avg)
Arlington
Winner132 (100 = avg)
Arlington's crime index is 132 versus 187 in Long Beach (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 29% 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. Long Beach can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
Neck and neck
Long Beach and Arlington are about even on typical weather.
Long Beach
76°F avg · 81°F highs · comfort 100/100
Arlington
67°F avg · 74°F highs · comfort 100/100
Long Beach averages about 76°F (81°F highs); Arlington averages about 67°F (74°F highs). Long Beach sits near 76°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
Career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth
Long Beach is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 16% higher here ($87,430). Start with Long Beach if your next chapter is about building earnings, and make weather or nightlife a secondary screen.
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 21% 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 29% lower than Long Beach (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 41/100 in Long Beach. Rent is $1,470/month in Arlington and $1,871/month in Long Beach, so you are not buying calm streets for free.
Long Beach still pays more locally ($87,430 median income vs $75,171), which can offset the lease if your field pays Long Beach rates.
Median income is $87,430 in Long Beach versus $75,171 in Arlington.
Most movers who prioritize safety land in Arlington; Long Beach only makes sense when you have walked the Long Beach ZIP you would rent and accept the trade for $1,871 rent.
Common questions
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Next steps
Quotes and listings for Arlington when you're ready to act.
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Long Beach and Arlington, plus other cities in CA and TX.
