Alexandria VA vs Augusta 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%
Augusta, GA
Georgia · Population: 201,504
- Median HH Income$53,134
- Median Home Price$177,114
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+24.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Alexandria
156,788
Augusta
201,504
Augusta +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Alexandria
N/A
Augusta
N/A
Median Age
Alexandria
37.5
Augusta
34.9
Augusta +
Foreign Born
Alexandria
24.6%
Alexandria +
Augusta
3.5%
White
Alexandria
53.6%
Alexandria +
Augusta
32.8%
Black
Alexandria
21.1%
Augusta
56.5%
Augusta +
Asian
Alexandria
6.3%
Alexandria +
Augusta
1.8%
Hispanic
Alexandria
18.2%
Alexandria +
Augusta
5.7%
Spanish at Home
Alexandria
N/A
Augusta
N/A
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Augusta, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 156,788 | 201,504 | Augusta + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.5 | 34.9 | Augusta + |
| Foreign Born | 24.6% | 3.5% | Alexandria + |
| White | 53.6% | 32.8% | Alexandria + |
| Black | 21.1% | 56.5% | Augusta + |
| Asian | 6.3% | 1.8% | Alexandria + |
| Hispanic | 18.2% | 5.7% | Alexandria + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Alexandria
$113,638
Alexandria +
Augusta
$53,134
Per Capita Income
Alexandria
$77,935
Alexandria +
Augusta
$30,230
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Alexandria
$69,581
Alexandria +
Augusta
$57,405
Unemployment Rate
Alexandria
3.4%
Alexandria +
Augusta
7.9%
Poverty Rate
Alexandria
8.4%
Alexandria +
Augusta
21.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Alexandria
65.8%
Alexandria +
Augusta
24.2%
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Augusta, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $113,638 | $53,134 | Alexandria + |
| Per Capita Income | $77,935 | $30,230 | Alexandria + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $57,405 | Alexandria + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.4% | 7.9% | Alexandria + |
| Poverty Rate | 8.4% | 21.1% | Alexandria + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 65.8% | 24.2% | Alexandria + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Alexandria
$679,447
Augusta
$177,114
Augusta +
Homeownership Rate
Alexandria
42.0%
Augusta
50.9%
Augusta +
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Augusta, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $679,447 | $177,114 | Augusta + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.0% | 50.9% | Augusta + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Alexandria
240
Alexandria +
Augusta
392
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Alexandria
1726
Alexandria +
Augusta
1752
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Augusta, 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%
Augusta
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Alexandria
9.2%
Augusta
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Alexandria
15.0%
Augusta
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Alexandria
8.6%
Augusta
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Alexandria
16.5%
Augusta
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Alexandria
9.1%
Augusta
N/A
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Augusta, 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
Augusta
63.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Alexandria
N/A
Augusta
43.6 in
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Augusta, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 63.9°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 43.6 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Alexandria
8.2 µg/m³
Alexandria +
Augusta
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Alexandria
75.0%
Alexandria +
Augusta
55.0%
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Augusta, 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
Augusta
22.1 min
Augusta +
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Augusta, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.8 min | 22.1 min | Augusta + |
Which City is Right for You?
Alexandria leads in median household income at $113,638, while augusta offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $177,114. On public safety, Alexandria is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Augusta. 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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