Alexandria VA vs Columbia MO — 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%
Columbia, MO
Missouri · Population: 127,200
- Median HH Income$64,488
- Median Home Price$323,876
- Unemployment3.9%
- Bachelor's+56.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Alexandria
156,788
Alexandria +
Columbia
127,200
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Alexandria
N/A
Columbia
N/A
Median Age
Alexandria
37.5
Columbia
29.2
Columbia +
Foreign Born
Alexandria
24.6%
Alexandria +
Columbia
8.1%
White
Alexandria
53.6%
Columbia
74.3%
Columbia +
Black
Alexandria
21.1%
Alexandria +
Columbia
12.1%
Asian
Alexandria
6.3%
Alexandria +
Columbia
6.1%
Hispanic
Alexandria
18.2%
Alexandria +
Columbia
4.3%
Spanish at Home
Alexandria
N/A
Columbia
N/A
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Columbia, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 156,788 | 127,200 | Alexandria + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.5 | 29.2 | Columbia + |
| Foreign Born | 24.6% | 8.1% | Alexandria + |
| White | 53.6% | 74.3% | Columbia + |
| Black | 21.1% | 12.1% | Alexandria + |
| Asian | 6.3% | 6.1% | Alexandria + |
| Hispanic | 18.2% | 4.3% | Alexandria + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Alexandria
$113,638
Alexandria +
Columbia
$64,488
Per Capita Income
Alexandria
$77,935
Alexandria +
Columbia
$37,359
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Alexandria
$69,581
Alexandria +
Columbia
$58,527
Unemployment Rate
Alexandria
3.4%
Alexandria +
Columbia
3.9%
Poverty Rate
Alexandria
8.4%
Alexandria +
Columbia
20.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Alexandria
65.8%
Alexandria +
Columbia
56.5%
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Columbia, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $113,638 | $64,488 | Alexandria + |
| Per Capita Income | $77,935 | $37,359 | Alexandria + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $58,527 | Alexandria + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.4% | 3.9% | Alexandria + |
| Poverty Rate | 8.4% | 20.0% | Alexandria + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 65.8% | 56.5% | Alexandria + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Alexandria
$679,447
Columbia
$323,876
Columbia +
Homeownership Rate
Alexandria
42.0%
Columbia
49.4%
Columbia +
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Columbia, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $679,447 | $323,876 | Columbia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.0% | 49.4% | Columbia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Alexandria
240
Alexandria +
Columbia
501
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Alexandria
1726
Alexandria +
Columbia
2418
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Columbia, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 501 | Alexandria + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 2418 | Alexandria + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Alexandria
31.7%
Columbia
30.1%
Columbia +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Alexandria
9.2%
Columbia
8.5%
Columbia +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Alexandria
15.0%
Alexandria +
Columbia
19.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Alexandria
8.6%
Columbia
8.4%
Columbia +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Alexandria
16.5%
Alexandria +
Columbia
18.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Alexandria
9.1%
Alexandria +
Columbia
12.4%
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Columbia, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.7% | 30.1% | Columbia + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 8.5% | Columbia + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.0% | 19.1% | Alexandria + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.6% | 8.4% | Columbia + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 18.5% | Alexandria + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 12.4% | Alexandria + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Alexandria
N/A
Columbia
56.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Alexandria
N/A
Columbia
46.3 in
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Columbia, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 56.0°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 46.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Alexandria
8.2 µg/m³
Alexandria +
Columbia
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Alexandria
75.0%
Alexandria +
Columbia
55.0%
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Columbia, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Alexandria + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Alexandria + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Alexandria
31.8 min
Columbia
18.2 min
Columbia +
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Columbia, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.8 min | 18.2 min | Columbia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Alexandria leads in median household income at $113,638, while columbia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $323,876. On public safety, Alexandria is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Columbia. Alexandria has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, and Alexandria has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Columbia scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.1%.
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