City comparison
No. Arlington's crime index is 132 versus 434 in Oakland, and its violent crime index is 130 versus 491, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Arlington is cheaper. Median rent is $1,470 a month versus $1,979 in Oakland.
Safety is where Oakland and Arlington split most clearly. Arlington scores 302 points better on the crime index, a gap that shows up in evening walks, parking situations, and insurance rates. Rent runs $1,979 in Oakland and $1,470 in Arlington.
This is a genuine split. Oakland 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
Oakland and Arlington are 1,457 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,979 a month in Oakland to $1,470 a month in Arlington, down $509 a month (26%).
Median household income goes from $101,600 in Oakland to $75,171 in Arlington, down $26,429 (26%).
The crime index goes from 434 in Oakland to 132 in Arlington, down 302 points (70%).
The move
Arlington and Oakland are 1,457 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,470 a month in Arlington to $1,979 a month in Oakland, up $509 a month (35%).
Median household income goes from $75,171 in Arlington to $101,600 in Oakland, up $26,429 (35%).
The crime index goes from 132 in Arlington to 434 in Oakland, up 302 points (229%).
Oakland, 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 Oakland and Arlington? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
26% cheaper
Arlington rent is 26% cheaper than Oakland
Oakland
$1,979/mo
Arlington
Winner$1,470/mo
Typical rent runs $1,470 a month in Arlington versus $1,979 in Oakland, so Arlington is 26% cheaper. That's roughly $509/month back in your pocket ($6,108/year). Over five years that's $30,540 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 Oakland, 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
35% higher
Oakland's median income is 35% higher than Arlington
Oakland
Winner$101,600
Arlington
$75,171
Median household income is $101,600 in Oakland versus $75,171 in Arlington, so typical pay runs 35% higher in Oakland (about $26,429 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, Oakland 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
70% lower crime
Arlington's crime index is 70% lower than Oakland
Oakland
434 (100 = avg)
Arlington
Winner132 (100 = avg)
Arlington's crime index is 132 versus 434 in Oakland (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 70% 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. Oakland can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
Neck and neck
Oakland and Arlington are about even on typical weather.
Oakland
68°F avg · 80°F highs · comfort 100/100
Arlington
67°F avg · 74°F highs · comfort 100/100
Oakland averages about 68°F (80°F highs); Arlington averages about 67°F (74°F highs). Oakland sits near 68°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
Oakland is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 35% higher here ($101,600). Start with Oakland 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 26% 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 70% lower than Oakland (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 15/100 in Oakland). Typical rent is $1,470 in Arlington and $1,979 in Oakland; do not assume the cheaper lease buys the calmer blocks.
Oakland still pays more locally ($101,600 median income vs $75,171), which can offset the lease if your field pays Oakland rates.
Median income is $101,600 in Oakland versus $75,171 in Arlington.
Most movers who prioritize safety land in Arlington; Oakland only makes sense when you have walked the Oakland ZIP you would rent and accept the trade for $1,979 rent.
Common questions
Ready to move to Arlington?
Next steps
Quotes and listings for Arlington when you're ready to act.
Keep researching
Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Oakland and Arlington, plus other cities in CA and TX.
