City comparison
No. Arlington's crime index is 132 versus 223 in Washington, and its violent crime index is 130 versus 243, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Arlington is cheaper. Median rent is $1,470 a month versus $1,954 in Washington.
The income gap between Washington and Arlington is significant: $109,870 median household versus $75,171. That spread matters more if you are job hunting locally than if you are remote. Typical rent is $1,954 in Washington 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. Washington 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
Washington and Arlington are 1,199 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,954 a month in Washington to $1,470 a month in Arlington, down $484 a month (25%).
Median household income goes from $109,870 in Washington to $75,171 in Arlington, down $34,699 (32%).
The crime index goes from 223 in Washington to 132 in Arlington, down 91 points (41%).
The move
Arlington and Washington are 1,199 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,470 a month in Arlington to $1,954 a month in Washington, up $484 a month (33%).
Median household income goes from $75,171 in Arlington to $109,870 in Washington, up $34,699 (46%).
The crime index goes from 132 in Arlington to 223 in Washington, up 91 points (69%).
Washington, DC
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 Washington and Arlington? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
25% cheaper
Arlington rent is 25% cheaper than Washington
Washington
$1,954/mo
Arlington
Winner$1,470/mo
Typical rent runs $1,470 a month in Arlington versus $1,954 in Washington, so Arlington is 25% cheaper. That's roughly $484/month back in your pocket ($5,808/year). Over five years that's $29,040 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 Washington, 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
46% higher
Washington's median income is 46% higher than Arlington
Washington
Winner$109,870
Arlington
$75,171
Median household income is $109,870 in Washington versus $75,171 in Arlington, so typical pay runs 46% higher in Washington (about $34,699 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, Washington 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
41% lower crime
Arlington's crime index is 41% lower than Washington
Washington
223 (100 = avg)
Arlington
Winner132 (100 = avg)
Arlington's crime index is 132 versus 223 in Washington (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 41% 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. Washington can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
33% more comfortable
Arlington weather is 33% more comfortable than Washington
Washington
56°F avg · 63°F highs · comfort 75/100
Arlington
Winner67°F avg · 74°F highs · comfort 100/100
Washington averages about 56°F (63°F highs); Arlington averages about 67°F (74°F highs). Washington averages around 56°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 33% 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 Washington 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
Washington is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 46% higher here ($109,870). Start with Washington 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 25% 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 Washington on this page's weather index by 33%. Washington 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 41% lower than Washington (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
Washington carries the heavier crime signal on this page (36/100 safety vs 52/100 in Arlington). That 16-point spread matters more than the $484 rent gap when you are choosing where to walk after dark.
Arlington rent at $1,470/month is still below Washington's $1,954, so cost-sensitive households should weigh the lease before the paycheck.
Typical rent stays $1,470 in Arlington and $1,954 in Washington.
If safety drives your move, Arlington is the stronger match (52/100 safety versus 36/100). If an employer or family tie already points to Washington, treat $1,954/month rent and $109,870 income as the numbers that actually govern the decision.
Common questions
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Next steps
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Washington and Arlington, plus other cities in DC and TX.
