Alexandria VA vs Buffalo NY — 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%
Buffalo, NY
New York · Population: 276,397
- Median HH Income$48,050
- Median Home Price$241,380
- Unemployment7.2%
- Bachelor's+30.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Alexandria
156,788
Buffalo
276,397
Buffalo +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Alexandria
N/A
Buffalo
N/A
Median Age
Alexandria
37.5
Buffalo
34.3
Buffalo +
Foreign Born
Alexandria
24.6%
Alexandria +
Buffalo
10.5%
White
Alexandria
53.6%
Alexandria +
Buffalo
45.4%
Black
Alexandria
21.1%
Buffalo
32.9%
Buffalo +
Asian
Alexandria
6.3%
Buffalo
8.2%
Buffalo +
Hispanic
Alexandria
18.2%
Alexandria +
Buffalo
12.7%
Spanish at Home
Alexandria
N/A
Buffalo
N/A
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Buffalo, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 156,788 | 276,397 | Buffalo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.5 | 34.3 | Buffalo + |
| Foreign Born | 24.6% | 10.5% | Alexandria + |
| White | 53.6% | 45.4% | Alexandria + |
| Black | 21.1% | 32.9% | Buffalo + |
| Asian | 6.3% | 8.2% | Buffalo + |
| Hispanic | 18.2% | 12.7% | Alexandria + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Alexandria
$113,638
Alexandria +
Buffalo
$48,050
Per Capita Income
Alexandria
$77,935
Alexandria +
Buffalo
$30,995
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Alexandria
$69,581
Buffalo
$77,425
Buffalo +
Unemployment Rate
Alexandria
3.4%
Alexandria +
Buffalo
7.2%
Poverty Rate
Alexandria
8.4%
Alexandria +
Buffalo
27.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Alexandria
65.8%
Alexandria +
Buffalo
30.3%
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Buffalo, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $113,638 | $48,050 | Alexandria + |
| Per Capita Income | $77,935 | $30,995 | Alexandria + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $77,425 | Buffalo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.4% | 7.2% | Alexandria + |
| Poverty Rate | 8.4% | 27.4% | Alexandria + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 65.8% | 30.3% | Alexandria + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Alexandria
$679,447
Buffalo
$241,380
Buffalo +
Homeownership Rate
Alexandria
42.0%
Buffalo
42.7%
Buffalo +
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Buffalo, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $679,447 | $241,380 | Buffalo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.0% | 42.7% | Buffalo + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Alexandria
240
Alexandria +
Buffalo
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Alexandria
1726
Alexandria +
Buffalo
1736
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Buffalo, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 434 | Alexandria + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 1736 | Alexandria + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Alexandria
31.7%
Alexandria +
Buffalo
38.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Alexandria
9.2%
Alexandria +
Buffalo
13.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Alexandria
15.0%
Alexandria +
Buffalo
19.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Alexandria
8.6%
Alexandria +
Buffalo
9.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Alexandria
16.5%
Buffalo
16.3%
Buffalo +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Alexandria
9.1%
Alexandria +
Buffalo
16.5%
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Buffalo, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.7% | 38.4% | Alexandria + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 13.4% | Alexandria + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.0% | 19.1% | Alexandria + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.6% | 9.4% | Alexandria + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 16.3% | Buffalo + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 16.5% | Alexandria + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Alexandria
N/A
Buffalo
48.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Alexandria
N/A
Buffalo
40.5 in
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Buffalo, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 48.3°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 40.5 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Alexandria
8.2 µg/m³
Buffalo
8.1 µg/m³
Buffalo +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Alexandria
75.0%
Buffalo
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Buffalo, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Buffalo + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Alexandria
31.8 min
Buffalo
21.6 min
Buffalo +
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Buffalo, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.8 min | 21.6 min | Buffalo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Alexandria leads in median household income at $113,638, while buffalo offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $241,380. On public safety, Alexandria is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Buffalo. Alexandria has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, and Buffalo has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Alexandria scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.7%.
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