Alexandria VA vs Baltimore MD — 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%
Baltimore, MD
Maryland · Population: 577,193
- Median HH Income$59,623
- Median Home Price$191,668
- Unemployment6.6%
- Bachelor's+35.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Alexandria
156,788
Baltimore
577,193
Baltimore +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Alexandria
N/A
Baltimore
N/A
Median Age
Alexandria
37.5
Baltimore
36.1
Baltimore +
Foreign Born
Alexandria
24.6%
Alexandria +
Baltimore
8.8%
White
Alexandria
53.6%
Alexandria +
Baltimore
27.4%
Black
Alexandria
21.1%
Baltimore
60.0%
Baltimore +
Asian
Alexandria
6.3%
Alexandria +
Baltimore
2.5%
Hispanic
Alexandria
18.2%
Alexandria +
Baltimore
7.9%
Spanish at Home
Alexandria
N/A
Baltimore
N/A
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Baltimore, MD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 156,788 | 577,193 | Baltimore + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.5 | 36.1 | Baltimore + |
| Foreign Born | 24.6% | 8.8% | Alexandria + |
| White | 53.6% | 27.4% | Alexandria + |
| Black | 21.1% | 60.0% | Baltimore + |
| Asian | 6.3% | 2.5% | Alexandria + |
| Hispanic | 18.2% | 7.9% | Alexandria + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Alexandria
$113,638
Alexandria +
Baltimore
$59,623
Per Capita Income
Alexandria
$77,935
Alexandria +
Baltimore
$39,195
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Alexandria
$69,581
Baltimore
$70,886
Baltimore +
Unemployment Rate
Alexandria
3.4%
Alexandria +
Baltimore
6.6%
Poverty Rate
Alexandria
8.4%
Alexandria +
Baltimore
20.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Alexandria
65.8%
Alexandria +
Baltimore
35.4%
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Baltimore, MD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $113,638 | $59,623 | Alexandria + |
| Per Capita Income | $77,935 | $39,195 | Alexandria + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $70,886 | Baltimore + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.4% | 6.6% | Alexandria + |
| Poverty Rate | 8.4% | 20.1% | Alexandria + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 65.8% | 35.4% | Alexandria + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Alexandria
$679,447
Baltimore
$191,668
Baltimore +
Homeownership Rate
Alexandria
42.0%
Baltimore
47.5%
Baltimore +
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Baltimore, MD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $679,447 | $191,668 | Baltimore + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.0% | 47.5% | Baltimore + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Alexandria
240
Alexandria +
Baltimore
433
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Alexandria
1726
Baltimore
1724
Baltimore +
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Baltimore, MD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 433 | Alexandria + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 1724 | Baltimore + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Alexandria
31.7%
Alexandria +
Baltimore
38.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Alexandria
9.2%
Alexandria +
Baltimore
14.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Alexandria
15.0%
Alexandria +
Baltimore
18.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Alexandria
8.6%
Alexandria +
Baltimore
10.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Alexandria
16.5%
Baltimore
16.0%
Baltimore +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Alexandria
9.1%
Alexandria +
Baltimore
16.1%
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Baltimore, MD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.7% | 38.1% | Alexandria + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 14.4% | Alexandria + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.0% | 18.6% | Alexandria + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.6% | 10.4% | Alexandria + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 16.0% | Baltimore + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 16.1% | Alexandria + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Alexandria
N/A
Baltimore
55.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Alexandria
N/A
Baltimore
41.9 in
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Baltimore, MD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 55.1°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 41.9 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Alexandria
8.2 µg/m³
Baltimore
7.6 µg/m³
Baltimore +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Alexandria
75.0%
Baltimore
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Baltimore, MD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 7.6 µg/m³ | Baltimore + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Alexandria
31.8 min
Baltimore
31.6 min
Baltimore +
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Baltimore, MD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.8 min | 31.6 min | Baltimore + |
Which City is Right for You?
Alexandria leads in median household income at $113,638, while baltimore offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $191,668. On public safety, Alexandria is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 433 in Baltimore. Alexandria has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, and Baltimore 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%.
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