City comparison
No. Arlington's crime index is 132 versus 174 in Phoenix, and its violent crime index is 130 versus 216, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Arlington is cheaper. Median rent is $1,470 a month versus $1,582 in Phoenix.
Safety is where Phoenix and Arlington split most clearly. Arlington scores 42 points better on the crime index, a gap that shows up in evening walks, parking situations, and insurance rates. Rent runs $1,582 in Phoenix and $1,470 in Arlington.
This is a genuine split. Phoenix 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 crime gap is citywide. Arlington has rougher pockets and Phoenix has quiet ones: the index tells you the average, not your block.
The move
Phoenix and Arlington are 867 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,582 a month in Phoenix to $1,470 a month in Arlington, down $112 a month (7%).
Median household income goes from $81,332 in Phoenix to $75,171 in Arlington, down $6,161 (8%).
The crime index goes from 174 in Phoenix to 132 in Arlington, down 42 points (24%).
The move
Arlington and Phoenix are 867 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,470 a month in Arlington to $1,582 a month in Phoenix, up $112 a month (8%).
Median household income goes from $75,171 in Arlington to $81,332 in Phoenix, up $6,161 (8%).
The crime index goes from 132 in Arlington to 174 in Phoenix, up 42 points (32%).
Phoenix, AZ
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 Phoenix and Arlington? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
7% cheaper
Arlington rent is 7% cheaper than Phoenix
Phoenix
$1,582/mo
Arlington
Winner$1,470/mo
Typical rent runs $1,470 a month in Arlington versus $1,582 in Phoenix, so Arlington is 7% cheaper. The monthly spread is about $112, or $1,344 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
8% higher
Phoenix's median income is 8% higher than Arlington
Phoenix
Winner$81,332
Arlington
$75,171
Median household income is $81,332 in Phoenix versus $75,171 in Arlington, so typical pay runs 8% higher in Phoenix (about $6,161 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
24% lower crime
Arlington's crime index is 24% lower than Phoenix
Phoenix
174 (100 = avg)
Arlington
Winner132 (100 = avg)
Arlington's crime index is 132 versus 174 in Phoenix (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 24% 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. Phoenix can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
Neck and neck
Phoenix and Arlington are about even on typical weather.
Phoenix
76°F avg · 81°F highs · comfort 100/100
Arlington
67°F avg · 74°F highs · comfort 100/100
Phoenix averages about 76°F (81°F highs); Arlington averages about 67°F (74°F highs). Phoenix 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
Phoenix is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 8% higher here ($81,332). Start with Phoenix 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 7% 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 24% lower than Phoenix (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 43/100 in Phoenix. Rent is $1,470/month in Arlington and $1,582/month in Phoenix, so you are not buying calm streets for free.
Arlington rent at $1,470/month is still below Phoenix's $1,582, so cost-sensitive households should weigh the lease before the paycheck.
Typical rent stays $1,470 in Arlington and $1,582 in Phoenix.
Arlington is ahead on safety (52/100 vs 43/100); Phoenix is still viable when you have a vetted ZIP there and $1,582/month rent plus $81,332 income fit your budget better than the safety margin.
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 Phoenix and Arlington, plus other cities in AZ and TX.
