Not only is he way better looking but he's also a far better actor than Tom Cruise. Cruise plays the same characters over an over.
Yes, Bale is the better actor. Don't know if you've seen the new Batman but his acting is intelligent, funny, nuanced. He looks like he's having a good time when he acts. Cruise always seems so desperate to be liked. Bale acts like he doesn't give a damn whether he's world famous - and that in my opinion is what makes him so appealing.