Alexandria VA vs Boulder CO — 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%
Boulder, CO
Colorado · Population: 106,274
- Median HH Income$85,364
- Median Home Price$970,905
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+76.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Alexandria
156,788
Alexandria +
Boulder
106,274
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Alexandria
N/A
Boulder
N/A
Median Age
Alexandria
37.5
Boulder
28.8
Boulder +
Foreign Born
Alexandria
24.6%
Alexandria +
Boulder
10.2%
White
Alexandria
53.6%
Boulder
81.8%
Boulder +
Black
Alexandria
21.1%
Alexandria +
Boulder
1.1%
Asian
Alexandria
6.3%
Alexandria +
Boulder
5.8%
Hispanic
Alexandria
18.2%
Alexandria +
Boulder
11.2%
Spanish at Home
Alexandria
N/A
Boulder
N/A
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Boulder, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 156,788 | 106,274 | Alexandria + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.5 | 28.8 | Boulder + |
| Foreign Born | 24.6% | 10.2% | Alexandria + |
| White | 53.6% | 81.8% | Boulder + |
| Black | 21.1% | 1.1% | Alexandria + |
| Asian | 6.3% | 5.8% | Alexandria + |
| Hispanic | 18.2% | 11.2% | Alexandria + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Alexandria
$113,638
Alexandria +
Boulder
$85,364
Per Capita Income
Alexandria
$77,935
Alexandria +
Boulder
$59,450
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Alexandria
$69,581
Boulder
$76,653
Boulder +
Unemployment Rate
Alexandria
3.4%
Alexandria +
Boulder
6.1%
Poverty Rate
Alexandria
8.4%
Alexandria +
Boulder
21.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Alexandria
65.8%
Boulder
76.8%
Boulder +
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Boulder, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $113,638 | $85,364 | Alexandria + |
| Per Capita Income | $77,935 | $59,450 | Alexandria + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $76,653 | Boulder + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.4% | 6.1% | Alexandria + |
| Poverty Rate | 8.4% | 21.8% | Alexandria + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 65.8% | 76.8% | Boulder + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Alexandria
$679,447
Alexandria +
Boulder
$970,905
Homeownership Rate
Alexandria
42.0%
Boulder
47.9%
Boulder +
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Boulder, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $679,447 | $970,905 | Alexandria + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.0% | 47.9% | Boulder + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Alexandria
240
Alexandria +
Boulder
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Alexandria
1726
Alexandria +
Boulder
3234
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Boulder, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 512 | Alexandria + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 3234 | Alexandria + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Alexandria
31.7%
Boulder
16.5%
Boulder +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Alexandria
9.2%
Boulder
5.7%
Boulder +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Alexandria
15.0%
Alexandria +
Boulder
17.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Alexandria
8.6%
Boulder
8.6%
Tie
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Alexandria
16.5%
Alexandria +
Boulder
19.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Alexandria
9.1%
Boulder
9.0%
Boulder +
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Boulder, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.7% | 16.5% | Boulder + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 5.7% | Boulder + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.0% | 17.9% | Alexandria + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.6% | 8.6% | Tie |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 19.8% | Alexandria + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 9.0% | Boulder + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Alexandria
N/A
Boulder
51.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Alexandria
N/A
Boulder
20.7 in
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Boulder, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 51.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 20.7 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Alexandria
8.2 µg/m³
Boulder
6.2 µg/m³
Boulder +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Alexandria
75.0%
Boulder
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Boulder, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Boulder + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Alexandria
31.8 min
Boulder
21.0 min
Boulder +
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Boulder, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.8 min | 21.0 min | Boulder + |
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 512 in Boulder. Alexandria has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, and Boulder has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Boulder scores better with a lower obesity rate of 16.5%.
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