Arlington vs Houston

Category / Metric	Arlington	Houston
Financial Overview
Median Income	$69,208	$62,637
Unemployment Rate	4.2%	4.8%
Housing Market
Median Home Price	$334,500	$335,000
Price per SqFt	$177	$175
Monthly Rent (1BR)	$1,384	$1,135
Housing Cost Index	117.8	106.5
Cost of Living
Groceries Index	105.0	103.4
Gas Price (Gallon)	$2.35	$2.35
Safety & Lifestyle
Violent Crime (per 100k)	456.0	912.4
Bachelor's Degree+	32.9%	37.1%
Air Quality (AQI)	35	44

Welcome to the ultimate Texas showdown. You’re standing at a crossroads, trying to decide between the sprawling, concrete jungle of Houston and its slightly more modest, Arlington.

Look, moving is a beast. It’s stressful, expensive, and you’re probably worried you’re going to make a mistake. But let’s cut through the noise. We’re going to look at the raw data, the vibe, and the hidden costs to figure out where you actually belong.

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Arlington vs. Houston: The Lone Star Showdown

The Vibe Check: Big City Lights vs. Metroplex Muscle

First up, let's talk personality.

Houston is a beast. It’s the fourth-largest city in the country, and it feels like it. We’re talking world-class dining, a legit arts scene, and more diversity than you can shake a stick at. It’s a city of transplants, where nobody asks where you went to high school (unless you’re in the oil biz). It’s fast-paced, a little gritty, and offers a "big city anonymity" that you can’t get just anywhere. If you want the hustle, the energy sector, or the culture of a major metro, this is it.

Arlington, on the other hand, is the definition of Metroplex living. It sits squarely between Dallas and Fort Worth. It’s the "middle child" that actually got the good looks and the sports stadiums. Arlington is practical. It’s where you live if you work in DFW but want a yard and a slightly slower pace than downtown Dallas. It’s family-oriented, anchored by massive entertainment hubs (Six Flags, Globe Life Field), and feels more like a collection of distinct suburbs than one cohesive city.

Verdict: If you want a global city that never sleeps, it’s Houston. If you want a strategic home base with major league sports at your fingertips, it’s Arlington.

The Dollar Power: Where Does Your Salary Actually Go?

Here’s where the rubber meets the road. You might get a higher salary offer in Houston, but the "Texas Tax Advantage" applies to both. Neither has state income tax, so let’s look at where your paycheck vanishes.

Note: The provided data lists Median Home Price for Arlington as N/A. For this comparison, we are using the provided Rent and Housing Index data, which indicates a lower cost of living relative to Houston.

Cost of Living Table

Category	Arlington	Houston	The Takeaway
Rent (1BR)	$1,384	$1,135	Houston is surprisingly cheaper on rent.
Housing Index	92.3	88.5	Houston offers better bang for your buck on housing.
Median Income	$69,208	$62,637	Arlington pays more, but is it enough?

Salary Wars & Purchasing Power

Let’s do a quick "what if" scenario. If you earn $100,000 in Arlington, you’re making about $6,500 more than the median. That feels good. You’re king of the hill.

If you take that same $100,000 to Houston, you’re making significantly more than their median of $62,637. However, the cost of living in Houston is generally lower, especially when you factor in housing.

The Insight: While Arlington’s median income is technically higher, Houston’s cost of living is lower. If you are moving with a competitive salary (say, $90k+), your money goes further in Houston. You can afford a nicer apartment or a mortgage on a house that would cost you a fortune elsewhere.

Verdict: For pure purchasing power, Houston takes the edge. The lower rent and housing index offset the slightly lower median income.

The Housing Market: Renting vs. Buying

Buying a home is the American dream, but in Texas, it’s also a survival tactic against the heat.

Arlington:
Since we don't have the median home price for Arlington, we look at the Housing Index of 92.3. This tells us it’s about 8% cheaper than the national average. It’s a renter-friendly market, with a high supply of apartments. If you’re looking to buy, it’s generally accessible, but you’ll be competing with investors and families looking for that sweet spot between Dallas and Fort Worth.

Houston:
With a median home price of $335,000 and a Housing Index of 88.5, Houston is a buyer's market. That $335k gets you a lot of square footage, provided you don’t mind a commute. The inventory is massive. However, be warned: property taxes in Harris County (Houston) can be brutal. That "no state income tax" is paid for on your property tax bill.

Verdict: If you want to buy a starter home without fighting a bidding war, Houston offers more inventory for the price.

The Dealbreakers: Quality of Life

This is usually where people make their final decision.

Traffic & Commute

• Houston: It is legendary for being bad. I-45, I-10, and the 610 Loop are parking lots during rush hour. You will spend your life in a car if you don’t plan carefully.
• Arlington: It’s spread out. There is no public transit to speak of (no DART trains yet). You are driving everywhere. However, the distances are generally shorter than in Houston, and you have easy access to I-30 and Hwy 360.

Weather

• Houston: The data says 46.0°F for the average low in January, but that doesn't tell you about the humidity. Houston is a swamp. Summers are 90°F+ with humidity that feels like a wet blanket. It rains a lot. Hurricane season is a real threat.
• Arlington: It’s North Texas. It gets hot in the summer (95°F+), but it’s a dry heat compared to Houston. The winters are slightly colder (avg low 34.0°F), meaning you might actually see a freeze or a dusting of snow once a year. It’s a more extreme climate (hotter summers, colder winters) but without the oppressive humidity.

Crime & Safety

Let’s be honest, this is a big one.

• Arlington: Violent Crime rate is 456.0 per 100k people. This is high compared to the national average, but significantly lower than Houston.
• Houston: Violent Crime rate is 912.4 per 100k people. That is nearly double Arlington's rate.

Verdict: If safety is your number one priority, the data doesn't lie. Arlington is statistically the safer option by a wide margin.

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The Final Verdict

We’ve crunched the numbers, checked the vibes, and looked at the weather. Here is who should pack their bags for which city.

🏆 Winner for Families

Arlington
Why? It’s safer. The crime rate gap is significant. While Houston offers more house for the money, Arlington offers a slightly more controlled environment with major entertainment (parks, stadiums) that kids love, without the sheer chaos of a massive metro.

🏆 Winner for Singles & Young Pros

Houston
Why? The nightlife, the food scene, the dating pool, and the career opportunities in energy, tech, and healthcare are unmatched. You can find your tribe in a city of 2.3 million people. Arlington feels a bit "settled down" in comparison.

🏆 Winner for Retirees

Arlington
Why? Access to world-class healthcare in Dallas/Fort Worth without the Houston humidity. The weather is slightly more manageable (though still hot), and the cost of living is predictable. Plus, if you're a sports fan, you're in heaven.

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Pros & Cons: The Cheat Sheet

Arlington

Pros:

• Safer: Violent crime is half that of Houston (456 vs 912).
• Higher Median Income: $69,208 is a solid baseline.
• Strategic Location: Perfectly positioned between two major downtowns.
• Sports Mecca: Home to the Cowboys and Rangers.

Cons:

• Car Dependent: Public transit is virtually non-existent.
• The "Boring" Factor: Lacks the high-end culture and nightlife of Dallas or Houston.
• Rent Prices: Surprisingly higher than Houston ($1,384 vs $1,135).

Houston

Pros:

• Purchasing Power: The money goes further ($335k median home price).
• Economic Powerhouse: Endless job opportunities in diverse sectors.
• Culture: World-class museums, dining, and diversity.
• Warmer Winters: The average low is 46.0°F.

Cons:

• Safety Concerns: The crime rate is alarmingly high (912.4).
• Traffic: It’s legendary and soul-crushing.
• Weather: The humidity is no joke; it’s a swamp.
• Hurricane Risk: You are in the Gulf Coast danger zone.