City comparison
No. Arlington's crime index is 132 versus 157 in San Jose, and its violent crime index is 130 versus 161, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Arlington is cheaper. Median rent is $1,470 a month versus $2,669 in San Jose.
The income gap between San Jose and Arlington is significant: $146,427 median household versus $75,171. That spread matters more if you are job hunting locally than if you are remote. Typical rent is $2,669 in San Jose and $1,470 in Arlington.
This is a genuine split. San Jose 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
San Jose and Arlington are 1,433 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $2,669 a month in San Jose to $1,470 a month in Arlington, down $1,199 a month (45%).
Median household income goes from $146,427 in San Jose to $75,171 in Arlington, down $71,256 (49%).
The crime index goes from 157 in San Jose to 132 in Arlington, down 25 points (16%).
The move
Arlington and San Jose are 1,433 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,470 a month in Arlington to $2,669 a month in San Jose, up $1,199 a month (82%).
Median household income goes from $75,171 in Arlington to $146,427 in San Jose, up $71,256 (95%).
The crime index goes from 132 in Arlington to 157 in San Jose, up 25 points (19%).
San Jose, 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 San Jose and Arlington? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
45% cheaper
Arlington rent is 45% cheaper than San Jose
San Jose
$2,669/mo
Arlington
Winner$1,470/mo
Typical rent runs $1,470 a month in Arlington versus $2,669 in San Jose, so Arlington is 45% cheaper. That's roughly $1,199/month back in your pocket ($14,388/year). Over five years that's $71,940 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 San Jose, 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
95% higher
San Jose's median income is 95% higher than Arlington
San Jose
Winner$146,427
Arlington
$75,171
Median household income is $146,427 in San Jose versus $75,171 in Arlington, so typical pay runs 95% higher in San Jose (about $71,256 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, San Jose 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
16% lower crime
Arlington's crime index is 16% lower than San Jose
San Jose
157 (100 = avg)
Arlington
Winner132 (100 = avg)
Arlington's crime index is 132 versus 157 in San Jose (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 16% 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. San Jose can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
Neck and neck
San Jose and Arlington are about even on typical weather.
San Jose
66°F avg · 76°F highs · comfort 100/100
Arlington
67°F avg · 74°F highs · comfort 100/100
San Jose averages about 66°F (76°F highs); Arlington averages about 67°F (74°F highs). San Jose sits near 66°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
San Jose is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 95% higher here ($146,427). Start with San Jose 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 45% 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 16% lower than San Jose (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
On rent alone, Arlington undercuts San Jose by $1,199/month ($1,470 vs $2,669). I would not pick San Jose on housing cost without a job that clears that spread.
Arlington rent at $1,470/month is still below San Jose's $2,669, so cost-sensitive households should weigh the lease before the paycheck.
Safety scores read 46/100 in San Jose and 52/100 in Arlington.
Arlington is the default on housing cost at $1,470/month versus $2,669 in San Jose; San Jose stays in play when $146,427 local pay or an existing job offer outweighs the $1,199 lease gap.
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 San Jose and Arlington, plus other cities in CA and TX.
