City comparison
No. Arlington's crime index is 132 versus 183 in Oklahoma City, and its violent crime index is 130 versus 197, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Oklahoma City is cheaper. Median rent is $1,130 a month versus $1,470 in Arlington.
Safety is where Oklahoma City and Arlington split most clearly. Arlington scores 51 points better on the crime index, a gap that shows up in evening walks, parking situations, and insurance rates. Rent runs $1,130 in Oklahoma City 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. Oklahoma City 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. Oklahoma City at $1,130 average has pockets that run $930 and others at $1,530: your actual number depends on which part of the city you land in.
The move
Oklahoma City and Arlington are 190 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,130 a month in Oklahoma City to $1,470 a month in Arlington, up $340 a month (30%).
Median household income goes from $68,656 in Oklahoma City to $75,171 in Arlington, up $6,515 (9%).
The crime index goes from 183 in Oklahoma City to 132 in Arlington, down 51 points (28%).
The move
Arlington and Oklahoma City are 190 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,470 a month in Arlington to $1,130 a month in Oklahoma City, down $340 a month (23%).
Median household income goes from $75,171 in Arlington to $68,656 in Oklahoma City, down $6,515 (9%).
The crime index goes from 132 in Arlington to 183 in Oklahoma City, up 51 points (39%).
Oklahoma City, OK
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 Oklahoma City and Arlington? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
23% cheaper
Oklahoma City rent is 23% cheaper than Arlington
Oklahoma City
Winner$1,130/mo
Arlington
$1,470/mo
Typical rent runs $1,130 a month in Oklahoma City versus $1,470 in Arlington, so Oklahoma City is 23% cheaper. That's roughly $340/month back in your pocket ($4,080/year). Over five years that's $20,400 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, Oklahoma City 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
9% higher
Arlington's median income is 9% higher than Oklahoma City
Oklahoma City
$68,656
Arlington
Winner$75,171
Median household income is $75,171 in Arlington versus $68,656 in Oklahoma City, so typical pay runs 9% higher in Arlington (about $6,515 more household income a year). The income edge is modest. Treat it as extra negotiating context, not a reason to ignore rent, schools, or climate. Remote workers especially should not treat citywide pay as a personal raise if their employer will not localize salary.
Crime index
28% lower crime
Arlington's crime index is 28% lower than Oklahoma City
Oklahoma City
183 (100 = avg)
Arlington
Winner132 (100 = avg)
Arlington's crime index is 132 versus 183 in Oklahoma City (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 28% 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. Oklahoma City can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
12% more comfortable
Arlington weather is 12% more comfortable than Oklahoma City
Oklahoma City
61°F avg · 69°F highs · comfort 89/100
Arlington
Winner67°F avg · 74°F highs · comfort 100/100
Oklahoma City averages about 61°F (69°F highs); Arlington averages about 67°F (74°F highs). Oklahoma City averages around 61°F. Arlington sits near 67°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Arlington scores 12% 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 Oklahoma City 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 Oklahoma City
Oklahoma City is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 23% cheaper here at about $1,130 a month. Choose Oklahoma City 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 9% 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 28% lower than Oklahoma City (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 42/100 in Oklahoma City). Typical rent is $1,470 in Arlington and $1,130 in Oklahoma City; do not assume the cheaper lease buys the calmer blocks.
Arlington still pays more locally ($75,171 median income vs $68,656), which can offset the lease if your field pays Arlington rates.
Weather averages land near 61°F in Oklahoma City and 67°F in Arlington.
Most movers who prioritize safety land in Arlington; Oklahoma City only makes sense when you have walked the Oklahoma City ZIP you would rent and accept the trade for $1,130 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 Oklahoma City and Arlington, plus other cities in OK and TX.
