Is Arlington safe?
Tampa, Florida · safety score updated nightly
Be careful — go in daylight and stay on the busier streets.
VibeLoco rates Arlington as “Caution”.
Gogo's take on Arlington
“Go with care. Arlington is a modest, primarily residential pocket in Central Tampa that is generally quiet during the day but sees higher rates of property crime and occasional opportunistic street offenses compared to suburban Tampa. Visitors should keep their vehicles locked and maintain situational awareness, particularly after dark near the perimeter thoroughfares.”
About the area
Arlington is an established residential neighborhood in Central Tampa characterized by single-family bungalows, mid-century homes, and quiet grid streets. Situated between bustling urban corridors and popular dining districts like Seminole Heights, it serves primarily as a tranquil, residential pass-through area.
- Residential
- Quiet Grid
- Developing
- Car-Dependent
Walking and biking in Arlington
Walk score: 52/100 · Bike score: 58/100
There are no dedicated bike-share stations in the immediate neighborhood, but the flat residential grid offers easy cycling access to Seminole Heights and routes leading toward the Hillsborough River.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Lower violent crime frequency within interior residential streets compared to surrounding commercial corridors
- Close proximity to Central Tampa's thriving culinary and brewery scenes
- High rates of personal vehicle ownership and accessible highway connectivity via I-275
Cons
- Elevated property crime rates, specifically opportunistic vehicle burglaries and parcel theft
- Above-average local poverty rate and uneven infrastructure investment in sidewalks and lighting
- Spillover activity and loitering along nearby major arterial avenues
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is minimal within the interior residential blocks, though individuals experiencing homelessness and occasional panhandling are more noticeable along the surrounding commercial corridors of Florida Avenue and Nebraska Avenue.
What Arlington is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and calm, with local residents commuting, walking dogs, and minimal pedestrian traffic.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Quiet suburban-urban feel with low street activity and safe conditions for walking.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Activity winds down quickly; streets become very dim due to sparse lighting, requiring standard urban caution.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Generally deserted, though walking alone on edge arterials is discouraged due to reduced visibility and occasional opportunistic crime.
Transit, parking and getting around
Hillsborough Area Regional Transit (HART) provides bus coverage on surrounding main avenues, including Route 1 along Florida Ave and Route 9 along Nebraska Ave; there is no light rail or BRT connection in the immediate neighborhood.
Street parking is free, residential, and widely available along side streets with no metered zones or parking garages.
Things to do in Arlington
- Explore the historic residential architecture and shaded oak-lined side streets
- Take a short walk or bike ride to nearby Seminole Heights for local craft dining and coffee
- Visit nearby Rivercrest Park along the Hillsborough River for picnicking and kayak launches
Local favorites
- The Boozy Pig · Butcher Shop & Cafe · 4.7★ (850)Popular local butchery and kitchen serving artisan meats, breakfast sandwiches, and charcuterie.
- Spaddy's Coffee Co. · Coffee Shop · 4.8★ (620)Laid-back outdoor patio cafe serving specialty espresso, cold brews, and fresh pastries.
- Cappy's Pizzeria · Pizza Restaurant · 4.6★ (1150)Beloved neighborhood staple known for Chicago deep-dish and New York-style brick-oven pies.
Scores are safety-driven — recent reported crime and local news plus Census income, poverty, housing, education, household and access data — refreshed nightly. Walk and bike scores are shown separately and do not affect the safety score. A guide, not a guarantee — conditions change street to street.