Alexandria VA vs Berkeley CA — 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%
Berkeley, CA
California · Population: 120,223
- Median HH Income$108,558
- Median Home Price$1,451,222
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+75.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Alexandria
156,788
Alexandria +
Berkeley
120,223
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Alexandria
N/A
Berkeley
N/A
Median Age
Alexandria
37.5
Berkeley
32.9
Berkeley +
Foreign Born
Alexandria
24.6%
Alexandria +
Berkeley
21.3%
White
Alexandria
53.6%
Berkeley
54.8%
Berkeley +
Black
Alexandria
21.1%
Alexandria +
Berkeley
7.4%
Asian
Alexandria
6.3%
Berkeley
20.7%
Berkeley +
Hispanic
Alexandria
18.2%
Alexandria +
Berkeley
12.1%
Spanish at Home
Alexandria
N/A
Berkeley
N/A
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Berkeley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 156,788 | 120,223 | Alexandria + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.5 | 32.9 | Berkeley + |
| Foreign Born | 24.6% | 21.3% | Alexandria + |
| White | 53.6% | 54.8% | Berkeley + |
| Black | 21.1% | 7.4% | Alexandria + |
| Asian | 6.3% | 20.7% | Berkeley + |
| Hispanic | 18.2% | 12.1% | Alexandria + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Alexandria
$113,638
Alexandria +
Berkeley
$108,558
Per Capita Income
Alexandria
$77,935
Alexandria +
Berkeley
$66,936
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Alexandria
$69,581
Berkeley
$77,230
Berkeley +
Unemployment Rate
Alexandria
3.4%
Alexandria +
Berkeley
6.0%
Poverty Rate
Alexandria
8.4%
Alexandria +
Berkeley
16.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Alexandria
65.8%
Berkeley
75.0%
Berkeley +
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Berkeley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $113,638 | $108,558 | Alexandria + |
| Per Capita Income | $77,935 | $66,936 | Alexandria + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $77,230 | Berkeley + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.4% | 6.0% | Alexandria + |
| Poverty Rate | 8.4% | 16.8% | Alexandria + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 65.8% | 75.0% | Berkeley + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Alexandria
$679,447
Alexandria +
Berkeley
$1,451,222
Homeownership Rate
Alexandria
42.0%
Berkeley
43.3%
Berkeley +
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Berkeley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $679,447 | $1,451,222 | Alexandria + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.0% | 43.3% | Berkeley + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Alexandria
240
Alexandria +
Berkeley
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Alexandria
1726
Alexandria +
Berkeley
2388
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Berkeley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 503 | Alexandria + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 2388 | Alexandria + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Alexandria
31.7%
Berkeley
22.2%
Berkeley +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Alexandria
9.2%
Berkeley
7.4%
Berkeley +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Alexandria
15.0%
Alexandria +
Berkeley
18.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Alexandria
8.6%
Berkeley
6.1%
Berkeley +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Alexandria
16.5%
Alexandria +
Berkeley
18.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Alexandria
9.1%
Berkeley
8.0%
Berkeley +
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Berkeley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.7% | 22.2% | Berkeley + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 7.4% | Berkeley + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.0% | 18.1% | Alexandria + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.6% | 6.1% | Berkeley + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 18.1% | Alexandria + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 8.0% | Berkeley + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Alexandria
N/A
Berkeley
58.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Alexandria
N/A
Berkeley
26.7 in
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Berkeley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 58.1°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 26.7 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Alexandria
8.2 µg/m³
Berkeley
7.9 µg/m³
Berkeley +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Alexandria
75.0%
Berkeley
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Berkeley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Berkeley + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Alexandria
31.8 min
Alexandria +
Berkeley
32.2 min
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Berkeley, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.8 min | 32.2 min | Alexandria + |
Which City is Right for You?
Alexandria leads in median household income at $113,638, while alexandria offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $679,447. On public safety, Alexandria is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Berkeley. Alexandria has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, and Berkeley has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Berkeley scores better with a lower obesity rate of 22.2%.
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