I am not sure that there is any performance/safety/reliability/ handling difference.
Both airplanes are pleasant to handfly. They both perform in a similar manner the airbus is a nicer working environment as far as noise, space comfort and it does have a dinner table.
Oh, and the rudder will not try to kill you either in the airbus.
737s come in many flavours. I can say that most of the -200s are dogs too. The 320 is fine the 321 is a bit of a dog when heavy. Certainly no 757, but I hear a heavy -900 isn't a rocket either. But do you get paid more if your rate of climb is greater?