Alexandria VA vs Gainesville FL — 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%
Gainesville, FL
Florida · Population: 143,611
- Median HH Income$45,611
- Median Home Price$299,633
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+51.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Alexandria
156,788
Alexandria +
Gainesville
143,611
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Alexandria
N/A
Gainesville
N/A
Median Age
Alexandria
37.5
Gainesville
26.5
Gainesville +
Foreign Born
Alexandria
24.6%
Alexandria +
Gainesville
12.1%
White
Alexandria
53.6%
Gainesville
59.2%
Gainesville +
Black
Alexandria
21.1%
Gainesville
21.6%
Gainesville +
Asian
Alexandria
6.3%
Alexandria +
Gainesville
6.2%
Hispanic
Alexandria
18.2%
Alexandria +
Gainesville
13.4%
Spanish at Home
Alexandria
N/A
Gainesville
N/A
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 156,788 | 143,611 | Alexandria + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.5 | 26.5 | Gainesville + |
| Foreign Born | 24.6% | 12.1% | Alexandria + |
| White | 53.6% | 59.2% | Gainesville + |
| Black | 21.1% | 21.6% | Gainesville + |
| Asian | 6.3% | 6.2% | Alexandria + |
| Hispanic | 18.2% | 13.4% | Alexandria + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Alexandria
$113,638
Alexandria +
Gainesville
$45,611
Per Capita Income
Alexandria
$77,935
Alexandria +
Gainesville
$30,282
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Alexandria
$69,581
Alexandria +
Gainesville
$65,328
Unemployment Rate
Alexandria
3.4%
Alexandria +
Gainesville
4.8%
Poverty Rate
Alexandria
8.4%
Alexandria +
Gainesville
28.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Alexandria
65.8%
Alexandria +
Gainesville
51.7%
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $113,638 | $45,611 | Alexandria + |
| Per Capita Income | $77,935 | $30,282 | Alexandria + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $65,328 | Alexandria + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.4% | 4.8% | Alexandria + |
| Poverty Rate | 8.4% | 28.0% | Alexandria + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 65.8% | 51.7% | Alexandria + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Alexandria
$679,447
Gainesville
$299,633
Gainesville +
Homeownership Rate
Alexandria
42.0%
Alexandria +
Gainesville
38.5%
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $679,447 | $299,633 | Gainesville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.0% | 38.5% | Alexandria + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Alexandria
240
Alexandria +
Gainesville
324
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Alexandria
1726
Gainesville
1453
Gainesville +
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 324 | Alexandria + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 1453 | Gainesville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Alexandria
31.7%
Gainesville
31.2%
Gainesville +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Alexandria
9.2%
Gainesville
8.8%
Gainesville +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Alexandria
15.0%
Alexandria +
Gainesville
21.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Alexandria
8.6%
Alexandria +
Gainesville
13.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Alexandria
16.5%
Alexandria +
Gainesville
17.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Alexandria
9.1%
Alexandria +
Gainesville
11.8%
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.7% | 31.2% | Gainesville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 8.8% | Gainesville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.0% | 21.3% | Alexandria + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.6% | 13.9% | Alexandria + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 17.8% | Alexandria + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 11.8% | Alexandria + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Alexandria
N/A
Gainesville
68.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Alexandria
N/A
Gainesville
47.3 in
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 68.9°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 47.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Alexandria
8.2 µg/m³
Gainesville
7.2 µg/m³
Gainesville +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Alexandria
75.0%
Gainesville
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Gainesville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Alexandria
31.8 min
Gainesville
20.1 min
Gainesville +
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.8 min | 20.1 min | Gainesville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Alexandria leads in median household income at $113,638, while gainesville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $299,633. On public safety, Alexandria is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 324 in Gainesville. Alexandria has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, and Gainesville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Gainesville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.2%.
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