Alexandria VA vs Anchorage AK — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Alexandria, VA
Virginia · Population: 156,788
- Median HH Income$113,638
- Median Home Price$679,447
- Unemployment3.4%
- Bachelor's+65.8%
Anchorage, AK
Alaska · Population: 289,069
- Median HH Income$98,152
- Median Home Price$414,014
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+37.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Alexandria
156,788
Anchorage
289,069
Anchorage +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Alexandria
N/A
Anchorage
N/A
Median Age
Alexandria
37.5
Anchorage
34.9
Anchorage +
Foreign Born
Alexandria
24.6%
Alexandria +
Anchorage
10.9%
White
Alexandria
53.6%
Anchorage
58.3%
Anchorage +
Black
Alexandria
21.1%
Alexandria +
Anchorage
5.3%
Asian
Alexandria
6.3%
Anchorage
9.8%
Anchorage +
Hispanic
Alexandria
18.2%
Alexandria +
Anchorage
9.3%
Spanish at Home
Alexandria
N/A
Anchorage
N/A
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Anchorage, AK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 156,788 | 289,069 | Anchorage + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.5 | 34.9 | Anchorage + |
| Foreign Born | 24.6% | 10.9% | Alexandria + |
| White | 53.6% | 58.3% | Anchorage + |
| Black | 21.1% | 5.3% | Alexandria + |
| Asian | 6.3% | 9.8% | Anchorage + |
| Hispanic | 18.2% | 9.3% | Alexandria + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Alexandria
$113,638
Alexandria +
Anchorage
$98,152
Per Capita Income
Alexandria
$77,935
Alexandria +
Anchorage
$49,338
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Alexandria
$69,581
Alexandria +
Anchorage
$69,233
Unemployment Rate
Alexandria
3.4%
Alexandria +
Anchorage
4.6%
Poverty Rate
Alexandria
8.4%
Alexandria +
Anchorage
9.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Alexandria
65.8%
Alexandria +
Anchorage
37.7%
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Anchorage, AK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $113,638 | $98,152 | Alexandria + |
| Per Capita Income | $77,935 | $49,338 | Alexandria + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $69,233 | Alexandria + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.4% | 4.6% | Alexandria + |
| Poverty Rate | 8.4% | 9.3% | Alexandria + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 65.8% | 37.7% | Alexandria + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Alexandria
$679,447
Anchorage
$414,014
Anchorage +
Homeownership Rate
Alexandria
42.0%
Anchorage
63.7%
Anchorage +
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Anchorage, AK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $679,447 | $414,014 | Anchorage + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.0% | 63.7% | Anchorage + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Alexandria
240
Alexandria +
Anchorage
780
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Alexandria
1726
Alexandria +
Anchorage
1849
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Anchorage, AK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 780 | Alexandria + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 1849 | Alexandria + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Alexandria
31.7%
Alexandria +
Anchorage
35.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Alexandria
9.2%
Anchorage
9.0%
Anchorage +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Alexandria
15.0%
Alexandria +
Anchorage
16.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Alexandria
8.6%
Alexandria +
Anchorage
9.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Alexandria
16.5%
Alexandria +
Anchorage
18.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Alexandria
9.1%
Alexandria +
Anchorage
14.4%
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Anchorage, AK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.7% | 35.2% | Alexandria + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 9.0% | Anchorage + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.0% | 16.4% | Alexandria + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.6% | 9.7% | Alexandria + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 18.0% | Alexandria + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 14.4% | Alexandria + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Alexandria
N/A
Anchorage
37.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Alexandria
N/A
Anchorage
16.7 in
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Anchorage, AK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 37.0°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 16.7 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Alexandria
8.2 µg/m³
Anchorage
7.6 µg/m³
Anchorage +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Alexandria
75.0%
Anchorage
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Anchorage, AK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 7.6 µg/m³ | Anchorage + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Alexandria
31.8 min
Anchorage
20.4 min
Anchorage +
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Anchorage, AK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.8 min | 20.4 min | Anchorage + |
Which City is Right for You?
Alexandria leads in median household income at $113,638, while anchorage offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $414,014. On public safety, Alexandria is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 780 in Anchorage. Alexandria has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, and Anchorage has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Alexandria scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.7%.
Compare More Cities
Alexandria, VA vs New York, NYAlexandria, VA vs Los Angeles, CAAlexandria, VA vs Chicago, ILAlexandria, VA vs Houston, TXAlexandria, VA vs Phoenix, AZAlexandria, VA vs Philadelphia, PA