City comparison
No. Arlington's crime index is 132 versus 261 in Philadelphia, and its violent crime index is 130 versus 252, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Philadelphia is cheaper. Median rent is $1,397 a month versus $1,470 in Arlington.
Safety is where Philadelphia and Arlington split most clearly. Arlington scores 129 points better on the crime index, a gap that shows up in evening walks, parking situations, and insurance rates. Rent runs $1,397 in Philadelphia 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. Philadelphia 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 crime gap is citywide. Arlington has rougher pockets and Philadelphia has quiet ones: the index tells you the average, not your block.
The move
Philadelphia and Arlington are 1,315 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,397 a month in Philadelphia to $1,470 a month in Arlington, up $73 a month (5%).
Median household income goes from $61,953 in Philadelphia to $75,171 in Arlington, up $13,218 (21%).
The crime index goes from 261 in Philadelphia to 132 in Arlington, down 129 points (49%).
The move
Arlington and Philadelphia are 1,315 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,470 a month in Arlington to $1,397 a month in Philadelphia, down $73 a month (5%).
Median household income goes from $75,171 in Arlington to $61,953 in Philadelphia, down $13,218 (18%).
The crime index goes from 132 in Arlington to 261 in Philadelphia, up 129 points (98%).
Philadelphia, PA
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 Philadelphia and Arlington? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
5% cheaper
Philadelphia rent is 5% cheaper than Arlington
Philadelphia
Winner$1,397/mo
Arlington
$1,470/mo
Typical rent runs $1,397 a month in Philadelphia versus $1,470 in Arlington, so Philadelphia is 5% cheaper. The monthly spread is about $73, or $876 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
21% higher
Arlington's median income is 21% higher than Philadelphia
Philadelphia
$61,953
Arlington
Winner$75,171
Median household income is $75,171 in Arlington versus $61,953 in Philadelphia, so typical pay runs 21% higher in Arlington (about $13,218 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. Philadelphia can still win if housing is cheap enough to offset the weaker median or if your specific role already pays well there.
Crime index
49% lower crime
Arlington's crime index is 49% lower than Philadelphia
Philadelphia
261 (100 = avg)
Arlington
Winner132 (100 = avg)
Arlington's crime index is 132 versus 261 in Philadelphia (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 49% 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. Philadelphia 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 Philadelphia
Philadelphia
55°F avg · 61°F highs · comfort 72/100
Arlington
Winner67°F avg · 74°F highs · comfort 100/100
Philadelphia averages about 55°F (61°F highs); Arlington averages about 67°F (74°F highs). Philadelphia 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 Philadelphia 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 Philadelphia
Philadelphia is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 5% cheaper here at about $1,397 a month. Choose Philadelphia 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 21% 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 49% lower than Philadelphia (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 31/100 in Philadelphia). Typical rent is $1,470 in Arlington and $1,397 in Philadelphia; do not assume the cheaper lease buys the calmer blocks.
Safety still diverges (52/100 in Arlington vs 31/100 in Philadelphia), so climate preference should not be the only filter.
Median income is $75,171 in Arlington versus $61,953 in Philadelphia.
Arlington is ahead on safety (52/100 vs 31/100); Philadelphia is still viable when you have a vetted ZIP there and $1,397/month rent plus $61,953 income fit your budget better than the safety margin.
Common questions
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Next steps
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