City comparison
No. Arlington's crime index is 132 versus 252 in Seattle, 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 $2,030 in Seattle.
The income gap between Seattle and Arlington is significant: $123,860 median household versus $75,171. That spread matters more if you are job hunting locally than if you are remote. Typical rent is $2,030 in Seattle and $1,470 in Arlington.
Arlington is not a close call here. It leads on cost of living, safety, and weather by margins that add up in daily life. Seattle 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. 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
Seattle and Arlington are 1,669 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $2,030 a month in Seattle to $1,470 a month in Arlington, down $560 a month (28%).
Median household income goes from $123,860 in Seattle to $75,171 in Arlington, down $48,689 (39%).
The crime index goes from 252 in Seattle to 132 in Arlington, down 120 points (48%).
The move
Arlington and Seattle are 1,669 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,470 a month in Arlington to $2,030 a month in Seattle, up $560 a month (38%).
Median household income goes from $75,171 in Arlington to $123,860 in Seattle, up $48,689 (65%).
The crime index goes from 132 in Arlington to 252 in Seattle, up 120 points (91%).
Seattle, WA
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 Seattle and Arlington? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
28% cheaper
Arlington rent is 28% cheaper than Seattle
Seattle
$2,030/mo
Arlington
Winner$1,470/mo
Typical rent runs $1,470 a month in Arlington versus $2,030 in Seattle, so Arlington is 28% cheaper. That's roughly $560/month back in your pocket ($6,720/year). Over five years that's $33,600 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 Seattle, 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
65% higher
Seattle's median income is 65% higher than Arlington
Seattle
Winner$123,860
Arlington
$75,171
Median household income is $123,860 in Seattle versus $75,171 in Arlington, so typical pay runs 65% higher in Seattle (about $48,689 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, Seattle 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
48% lower crime
Arlington's crime index is 48% lower than Seattle
Seattle
252 (100 = avg)
Arlington
Winner132 (100 = avg)
Arlington's crime index is 132 versus 252 in Seattle (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 48% 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. Seattle 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 Seattle
Seattle
55°F avg · 62°F highs · comfort 72/100
Arlington
Winner67°F avg · 74°F highs · comfort 100/100
Seattle averages about 55°F (62°F highs); Arlington averages about 67°F (74°F highs). Seattle 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 Seattle if you already prefer its hotter or cooler pattern and have budgeted for the AC or heating that comes with it.
Fit check
Career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth
Seattle is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 65% higher here ($123,860). Start with Seattle if your next chapter is about building earnings, and make weather or nightlife a secondary screen.
Fit check
Outdoor enthusiasts and people who need year-round access to nature for their wellbeing
Arlington is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 28% 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.
Pick Arlington if you are an outdoor enthusiast or you need year-round access to nature for your wellbeing. Typical conditions (67°F) beat Seattle on this page's weather index by 39%. Seattle may pay more or cost less, but Arlington is the city where the forecast fights you less.
Arlington is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 48% lower than Seattle (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 32/100 in Seattle). Typical rent is $1,470 in Arlington and $2,030 in Seattle; do not assume the cheaper lease buys the calmer blocks.
Arlington rent at $1,470/month is still below Seattle's $2,030, so cost-sensitive households should weigh the lease before the paycheck.
Typical rent stays $1,470 in Arlington and $2,030 in Seattle.
Most movers who prioritize safety land in Arlington; Seattle only makes sense when you have walked the Seattle ZIP you would rent and accept the trade for $2,030 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 Seattle and Arlington, plus other cities in WA and TX.
