Alexandria VA vs Elizabeth NJ — 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%
Elizabeth, NJ
New Jersey · Population: 135,887
- Median HH Income$63,874
- Median Home Price$531,592
- Unemployment6.9%
- Bachelor's+14.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Alexandria
156,788
Alexandria +
Elizabeth
135,887
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Alexandria
N/A
Elizabeth
N/A
Median Age
Alexandria
37.5
Elizabeth
35.8
Elizabeth +
Foreign Born
Alexandria
24.6%
Elizabeth
50.6%
Elizabeth +
White
Alexandria
53.6%
Alexandria +
Elizabeth
24.8%
Black
Alexandria
21.1%
Alexandria +
Elizabeth
17.1%
Asian
Alexandria
6.3%
Alexandria +
Elizabeth
1.8%
Hispanic
Alexandria
18.2%
Elizabeth
66.8%
Elizabeth +
Spanish at Home
Alexandria
N/A
Elizabeth
N/A
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 156,788 | 135,887 | Alexandria + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.5 | 35.8 | Elizabeth + |
| Foreign Born | 24.6% | 50.6% | Elizabeth + |
| White | 53.6% | 24.8% | Alexandria + |
| Black | 21.1% | 17.1% | Alexandria + |
| Asian | 6.3% | 1.8% | Alexandria + |
| Hispanic | 18.2% | 66.8% | Elizabeth + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Alexandria
$113,638
Alexandria +
Elizabeth
$63,874
Per Capita Income
Alexandria
$77,935
Alexandria +
Elizabeth
$28,490
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Alexandria
$69,581
Elizabeth
$77,416
Elizabeth +
Unemployment Rate
Alexandria
3.4%
Alexandria +
Elizabeth
6.9%
Poverty Rate
Alexandria
8.4%
Alexandria +
Elizabeth
15.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Alexandria
65.8%
Alexandria +
Elizabeth
14.2%
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $113,638 | $63,874 | Alexandria + |
| Per Capita Income | $77,935 | $28,490 | Alexandria + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $77,416 | Elizabeth + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.4% | 6.9% | Alexandria + |
| Poverty Rate | 8.4% | 15.3% | Alexandria + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 65.8% | 14.2% | Alexandria + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Alexandria
$679,447
Elizabeth
$531,592
Elizabeth +
Homeownership Rate
Alexandria
42.0%
Alexandria +
Elizabeth
25.4%
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $679,447 | $531,592 | Elizabeth + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.0% | 25.4% | Alexandria + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Alexandria
240
Elizabeth
218
Elizabeth +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Alexandria
1726
Elizabeth
1426
Elizabeth +
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 218 | Elizabeth + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 1426 | Elizabeth + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Alexandria
31.7%
Alexandria +
Elizabeth
34.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Alexandria
9.2%
Alexandria +
Elizabeth
13.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Alexandria
15.0%
Alexandria +
Elizabeth
17.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Alexandria
8.6%
Alexandria +
Elizabeth
28.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Alexandria
16.5%
Elizabeth
14.9%
Elizabeth +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Alexandria
9.1%
Alexandria +
Elizabeth
15.0%
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.7% | 34.8% | Alexandria + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 13.7% | Alexandria + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.0% | 17.8% | Alexandria + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.6% | 28.1% | Alexandria + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 14.9% | Elizabeth + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 15.0% | Alexandria + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Alexandria
N/A
Elizabeth
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Alexandria
N/A
Elizabeth
N/A
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Alexandria
8.2 µg/m³
Alexandria +
Elizabeth
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Alexandria
75.0%
Elizabeth
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Alexandria + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Alexandria
31.8 min
Elizabeth
29.3 min
Elizabeth +
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.8 min | 29.3 min | Elizabeth + |
Which City is Right for You?
Alexandria leads in median household income at $113,638, while elizabeth offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $531,592. On public safety, Elizabeth is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 240 in Alexandria. 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, Alexandria scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.7%.
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