Smart Movers Club

    Moving to Arlington, MA

    Is Arlington a good place to live?

    Watch Arlington

    Arlington ranks #8 of 64 Massachusetts cities with 25,000+ people on the Smart Movers livability score (67/100), which weighs home affordability, unemployment, education and population growth. Population grew 0.2% in the latest Census year.

    Median home value
    $885,000
    +5.5% vs prior year
    Median rent
    $2,043
    per month
    Household income
    $141,440
    median
    Unemployment
    3.2%
    lower is better

    Cost of living in Arlington

    The median home value in Arlington is $885,000 and median rent is $2,043 a month, against a median household income of $141,440. Homes cost about 6.3× a year of income (under 3× is considered affordable).

    Arlington crime rate

    City-level FBI figures vary by agency; across Massachusetts the 2025 rate was 301 violent and 1,036 property crimes per 100,000 people — #42 highest of 50 states. The full report breaks down local trends.

    Moving to Arlington, MA

    Arlington has about 46,015 residents, 3.2% unemployment and 31% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher.

    Compare Arlington with

    Arlington vs BostonArlington vs WorcesterArlington vs SpringfieldArlington vs CambridgeArlington vs LowellArlington vs BrocktonArlington vs QuincyArlington vs Lynn

    More: Where to move in Massachusetts · Best counties in Massachusetts

    Sources: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year estimates (2023, compared with 2022); FBI Crime Data Explorer.

    Home listings, local news, migration, schools, resources and the Smart Movers Grade & Verdict.

    See the full Smart Movers Club report