Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Arlington, TX
VS
Baltimore, MD
🏆 Arlington leads 14 of 23 categories
Arlington
Texas
14
wins
Cost of Living Index
103.3⚠ High
Median Household Income
$71,736 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
127⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
393,469
Baltimore
Maryland
9
wins
Cost of Living Index
102.7⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$58,349
Violent Crime Index
423⚠ High
Population
584,548 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Arlington, TX
Pros
70% less violent crime than Baltimore
Households earn $13,387 more per year on average
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.3 pts lower (5.6%)
Commutes run 3 min shorter each way
Milder winters — January highs near 58°F vs 44°F
Cons
Violent crime (482.9/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Baltimore, MD
Pros
Homes cost $48k less ($202,900 vs $251,300)
Cooler summers — July highs near 90°F vs 96°F
Cons
Violent crime (1606.2/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Median income trails Arlington by $13,387/yr
Property crime (4157.0/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Higher unemployment (6.9% vs 5.6%)
Key Differences at a Glance
Arlington
Median Income
$13,387
$71,736 vs $58,349/yr
Arlington
Violent Crime
70% lower
482.9 vs 1606.2 per 100k
Arlington
Unemployment
1.3 pp lower
5.6% vs 6.9% unemployment
Arlington
Summer Heat
5.8°F warmer
July avg high 95.9°F vs 90.1°F
Baltimore
Cost of Living
1% cheaper
COL index 102.7 vs 103.3 (100 = US avg)
Baltimore
Median Home Value
$48k less
$202,900 vs $251,300
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Baltimore, MD |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 103.3⚠ High | 102.7⚠ High ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $251,300 | $202,900 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,297 | $1,235 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $71,736 ✓ Higher | $58,349 |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.6%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 6.9%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 26.9 min ✓ Shorter | 30.1 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 9.8% | 13.4% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 122⚠ High ✓ Safer | 333⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 127⚠ High ✓ Safer | 423⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 115⚠ High ✓ Safer | 198⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B+ (105) ✓ Better | B- (95) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 13.8:1 ✓ Smaller | 14.4:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 32.4% | 34.9% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 85.9% | 87.1% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | ARLINGTON ISD | Baltimore City Public Schools |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 57.9°F ✓ Warmer | 43.7°F |
| Avg High — July | 95.9°F ✓ Warmer | 90.1°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 36.2" ✓ Drier | 43.7" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.8" ✓ Less | 19.3" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 393,469 | 584,548 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 33.1 | 36.0 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.9% ✓ Higher | 47.8% |
| Under 18 | 25.3% ✓ More | 20.4% |
| Over 65 | 11.1% | 14.8% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Arlington's cost of living index is 103.3 vs Baltimore's 102.7 (US average = 100).
Baltimore is 1% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Arlington leads 14 of 23 categories. Arlington wins 14 and Baltimore wins 9. The right choice depends on your priorities — use the Pros & Cons and full table above to weigh what matters to you.
Whether you're moving from Arlington to Baltimore or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($251,300 vs $202,900 median home), income ($71,736 vs $58,349), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Arlington, TX and Baltimore, MD are about 1,231 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.