Austin vs Arlington: Full Comparison
Updated November 2026 · Cost of living, safety, and climate data
Quick Answer
Arlington is 46% safer. Austin population: 1,002,632. Arlington population: 402,134.
Which city is better for you?
Based on cost of living indices, FBI crime data, and NOAA climate records.
Cost of Living
Cost of living data is not available for Arlington. Try the salary calculator for cities with data.
Safety: Austin vs Arlington
Arlington is 46% safer overall, with a crime rate of 21.3 per 1,000 residents vs Austin's 39.5. Arlington earns a B- safety grade compared to Austin's D-. Based on 2023 FBI data.
Austin
Texas
Arlington
Texas
| Metric | Austin | Arlington |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Crime Rate | 39.5/1K | 21.3/1K |
| Violent Crime Rate | 350.0 | 361.3 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3600.0 | 1772.2 |
| Murder Rate | 4.6 | 4.9 |
| Assault Rate | 278.3 | 287.0 |
| Robbery Rate | 60.6 | 56.7 |
| Burglary Rate | 461.8 | 253.3 |
| Theft Rate | 3112.6 | 1616.1 |
| Vehicle Theft Rate | 763.2 | 396.0 |
Crime rates per 100,000 residents. 2023 FBI Uniform Crime Report data. Lower rates are better (safer).
Victim Odds
In Austin, you have a 1 in 25 chance of being a crime victim per year vs 1 in 47 in Arlington.
Climate Comparison
Climate data is only available for Austin. A full comparison requires both cities.
Austin Climate Overview
Frequently Asked Questions
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Learn More About Each City
Safety data: 2023 FBI Uniform Crime Report. Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities and C2ER Cost of Living Index. Climate: NOAA 30-year normals. Not a substitute for local guidance.
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