Alexandria VA vs Boise ID — 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%
Boise, ID
Idaho · Population: 235,701
- Median HH Income$81,308
- Median Home Price$504,894
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+46.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Alexandria
156,788
Boise
235,701
Boise +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Alexandria
N/A
Boise
N/A
Median Age
Alexandria
37.5
Alexandria +
Boise
38.2
Foreign Born
Alexandria
24.6%
Alexandria +
Boise
7.2%
White
Alexandria
53.6%
Boise
83.6%
Boise +
Black
Alexandria
21.1%
Alexandria +
Boise
1.4%
Asian
Alexandria
6.3%
Alexandria +
Boise
3.4%
Hispanic
Alexandria
18.2%
Alexandria +
Boise
9.5%
Spanish at Home
Alexandria
N/A
Boise
N/A
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Boise, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 156,788 | 235,701 | Boise + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.5 | 38.2 | Alexandria + |
| Foreign Born | 24.6% | 7.2% | Alexandria + |
| White | 53.6% | 83.6% | Boise + |
| Black | 21.1% | 1.4% | Alexandria + |
| Asian | 6.3% | 3.4% | Alexandria + |
| Hispanic | 18.2% | 9.5% | Alexandria + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Alexandria
$113,638
Alexandria +
Boise
$81,308
Per Capita Income
Alexandria
$77,935
Alexandria +
Boise
$48,274
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Alexandria
$69,581
Alexandria +
Boise
$57,074
Unemployment Rate
Alexandria
3.4%
Alexandria +
Boise
3.8%
Poverty Rate
Alexandria
8.4%
Alexandria +
Boise
10.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Alexandria
65.8%
Alexandria +
Boise
46.6%
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Boise, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $113,638 | $81,308 | Alexandria + |
| Per Capita Income | $77,935 | $48,274 | Alexandria + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $57,074 | Alexandria + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.4% | 3.8% | Alexandria + |
| Poverty Rate | 8.4% | 10.6% | Alexandria + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 65.8% | 46.6% | Alexandria + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Alexandria
$679,447
Boise
$504,894
Boise +
Homeownership Rate
Alexandria
42.0%
Boise
63.0%
Boise +
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Boise, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $679,447 | $504,894 | Boise + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.0% | 63.0% | Boise + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Alexandria
240
Alexandria +
Boise
251
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Alexandria
1726
Boise
958
Boise +
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Boise, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 251 | Alexandria + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 958 | Boise + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Alexandria
31.7%
Boise
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Alexandria
9.2%
Boise
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Alexandria
15.0%
Boise
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Alexandria
8.6%
Boise
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Alexandria
16.5%
Boise
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Alexandria
9.1%
Boise
N/A
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Boise, ID | 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
Boise
49.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Alexandria
N/A
Boise
18.6 in
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Boise, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 49.9°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 18.6 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Alexandria
8.2 µg/m³
Boise
7.7 µg/m³
Boise +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Alexandria
75.0%
Boise
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Boise, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Boise + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Alexandria
31.8 min
Boise
20.4 min
Boise +
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Boise, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.8 min | 20.4 min | Boise + |
Which City is Right for You?
Alexandria leads in median household income at $113,638, while boise offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $504,894. On public safety, Alexandria is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 251 in Boise. Alexandria has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, and Boise has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³).
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