Alexandria VA vs Fremont CA — 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%
Fremont, CA
California · Population: 228,518
- Median HH Income$176,350
- Median Home Price$1,538,830
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+62.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Alexandria
156,788
Fremont
228,518
Fremont +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Alexandria
N/A
Fremont
N/A
Median Age
Alexandria
37.5
Alexandria +
Fremont
38.8
Foreign Born
Alexandria
24.6%
Fremont
50.1%
Fremont +
White
Alexandria
53.6%
Alexandria +
Fremont
19.4%
Black
Alexandria
21.1%
Alexandria +
Fremont
2.9%
Asian
Alexandria
6.3%
Fremont
62.5%
Fremont +
Hispanic
Alexandria
18.2%
Alexandria +
Fremont
12.9%
Spanish at Home
Alexandria
N/A
Fremont
N/A
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Fremont, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 156,788 | 228,518 | Fremont + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.5 | 38.8 | Alexandria + |
| Foreign Born | 24.6% | 50.1% | Fremont + |
| White | 53.6% | 19.4% | Alexandria + |
| Black | 21.1% | 2.9% | Alexandria + |
| Asian | 6.3% | 62.5% | Fremont + |
| Hispanic | 18.2% | 12.9% | Alexandria + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Alexandria
$113,638
Fremont
$176,350
Fremont +
Per Capita Income
Alexandria
$77,935
Alexandria +
Fremont
$73,378
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Alexandria
$69,581
Fremont
$77,230
Fremont +
Unemployment Rate
Alexandria
3.4%
Alexandria +
Fremont
4.3%
Poverty Rate
Alexandria
8.4%
Fremont
5.1%
Fremont +
Bachelor's Degree+
Alexandria
65.8%
Alexandria +
Fremont
62.7%
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Fremont, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $113,638 | $176,350 | Fremont + |
| Per Capita Income | $77,935 | $73,378 | Alexandria + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $77,230 | Fremont + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.4% | 4.3% | Alexandria + |
| Poverty Rate | 8.4% | 5.1% | Fremont + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 65.8% | 62.7% | Alexandria + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Alexandria
$679,447
Alexandria +
Fremont
$1,538,830
Homeownership Rate
Alexandria
42.0%
Fremont
60.2%
Fremont +
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Fremont, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $679,447 | $1,538,830 | Alexandria + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.0% | 60.2% | Fremont + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Alexandria
240
Alexandria +
Fremont
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Alexandria
1726
Alexandria +
Fremont
2388
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Fremont, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 503 | Alexandria + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 2388 | Alexandria + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Alexandria
31.7%
Fremont
17.3%
Fremont +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Alexandria
9.2%
Alexandria +
Fremont
9.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Alexandria
15.0%
Fremont
12.7%
Fremont +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Alexandria
8.6%
Fremont
4.9%
Fremont +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Alexandria
16.5%
Fremont
13.9%
Fremont +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Alexandria
9.1%
Fremont
7.3%
Fremont +
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Fremont, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.7% | 17.3% | Fremont + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 9.8% | Alexandria + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.0% | 12.7% | Fremont + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.6% | 4.9% | Fremont + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 13.9% | Fremont + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 7.3% | Fremont + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Alexandria
N/A
Fremont
59.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Alexandria
N/A
Fremont
16.7 in
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Fremont, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 59.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 16.7 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Alexandria
8.2 µg/m³
Fremont
7.9 µg/m³
Fremont +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Alexandria
75.0%
Fremont
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Fremont, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Fremont + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Alexandria
31.8 min
Alexandria +
Fremont
33.9 min
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Fremont, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.8 min | 33.9 min | Alexandria + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fremont leads in median household income at $176,350, 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 503 in Fremont. Alexandria has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, and Fremont has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fremont scores better with a lower obesity rate of 17.3%.
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