Alexandria VA vs Athens GA — 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%
Athens, GA
Georgia · Population: 126,987
- Median HH Income$51,655
- Median Home Price$341,821
- Unemployment5.2%
- Bachelor's+48.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Alexandria
156,788
Alexandria +
Athens
126,987
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Alexandria
N/A
Athens
N/A
Median Age
Alexandria
37.5
Athens
29.2
Athens +
Foreign Born
Alexandria
24.6%
Alexandria +
Athens
9.8%
White
Alexandria
53.6%
Athens
57.6%
Athens +
Black
Alexandria
21.1%
Athens
26.2%
Athens +
Asian
Alexandria
6.3%
Alexandria +
Athens
4.3%
Hispanic
Alexandria
18.2%
Alexandria +
Athens
11.5%
Spanish at Home
Alexandria
N/A
Athens
N/A
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Athens, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 156,788 | 126,987 | Alexandria + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.5 | 29.2 | Athens + |
| Foreign Born | 24.6% | 9.8% | Alexandria + |
| White | 53.6% | 57.6% | Athens + |
| Black | 21.1% | 26.2% | Athens + |
| Asian | 6.3% | 4.3% | Alexandria + |
| Hispanic | 18.2% | 11.5% | Alexandria + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Alexandria
$113,638
Alexandria +
Athens
$51,655
Per Capita Income
Alexandria
$77,935
Alexandria +
Athens
$31,836
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Alexandria
$69,581
Alexandria +
Athens
$57,405
Unemployment Rate
Alexandria
3.4%
Alexandria +
Athens
5.2%
Poverty Rate
Alexandria
8.4%
Alexandria +
Athens
26.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Alexandria
65.8%
Alexandria +
Athens
48.7%
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Athens, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $113,638 | $51,655 | Alexandria + |
| Per Capita Income | $77,935 | $31,836 | Alexandria + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $57,405 | Alexandria + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.4% | 5.2% | Alexandria + |
| Poverty Rate | 8.4% | 26.3% | Alexandria + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 65.8% | 48.7% | Alexandria + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Alexandria
$679,447
Athens
$341,821
Athens +
Homeownership Rate
Alexandria
42.0%
Alexandria +
Athens
40.5%
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Athens, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $679,447 | $341,821 | Athens + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.0% | 40.5% | Alexandria + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Alexandria
240
Alexandria +
Athens
392
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Alexandria
1726
Alexandria +
Athens
1752
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Athens, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 392 | Alexandria + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 1752 | Alexandria + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Alexandria
31.7%
Athens
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Alexandria
9.2%
Athens
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Alexandria
15.0%
Athens
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Alexandria
8.6%
Athens
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Alexandria
16.5%
Athens
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Alexandria
9.1%
Athens
N/A
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Athens, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.7% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.2% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.0% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.6% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.1% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Alexandria
N/A
Athens
62.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Alexandria
N/A
Athens
46.3 in
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Athens, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 62.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 46.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Alexandria
8.2 µg/m³
Alexandria +
Athens
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Alexandria
75.0%
Alexandria +
Athens
55.0%
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Athens, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Alexandria + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Alexandria + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Alexandria
31.8 min
Athens
22.3 min
Athens +
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Athens, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.8 min | 22.3 min | Athens + |
Which City is Right for You?
Alexandria leads in median household income at $113,638, while athens offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $341,821. On public safety, Alexandria is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Athens. Alexandria has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, and Alexandria has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³).
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