Alexandria VA vs Garland TX — 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%
Garland, TX
Texas · Population: 245,298
- Median HH Income$74,717
- Median Home Price$289,605
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+25.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Alexandria
156,788
Garland
245,298
Garland +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Alexandria
N/A
Garland
N/A
Median Age
Alexandria
37.5
Garland
34.7
Garland +
Foreign Born
Alexandria
24.6%
Garland
31.2%
Garland +
White
Alexandria
53.6%
Alexandria +
Garland
37.5%
Black
Alexandria
21.1%
Alexandria +
Garland
15.3%
Asian
Alexandria
6.3%
Garland
11.2%
Garland +
Hispanic
Alexandria
18.2%
Garland
45.0%
Garland +
Spanish at Home
Alexandria
N/A
Garland
N/A
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Garland, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 156,788 | 245,298 | Garland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.5 | 34.7 | Garland + |
| Foreign Born | 24.6% | 31.2% | Garland + |
| White | 53.6% | 37.5% | Alexandria + |
| Black | 21.1% | 15.3% | Alexandria + |
| Asian | 6.3% | 11.2% | Garland + |
| Hispanic | 18.2% | 45.0% | Garland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Alexandria
$113,638
Alexandria +
Garland
$74,717
Per Capita Income
Alexandria
$77,935
Alexandria +
Garland
$31,477
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Alexandria
$69,581
Alexandria +
Garland
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Alexandria
3.4%
Alexandria +
Garland
4.9%
Poverty Rate
Alexandria
8.4%
Alexandria +
Garland
12.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Alexandria
65.8%
Alexandria +
Garland
25.0%
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Garland, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $113,638 | $74,717 | Alexandria + |
| Per Capita Income | $77,935 | $31,477 | Alexandria + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $63,758 | Alexandria + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.4% | 4.9% | Alexandria + |
| Poverty Rate | 8.4% | 12.3% | Alexandria + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 65.8% | 25.0% | Alexandria + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Alexandria
$679,447
Garland
$289,605
Garland +
Homeownership Rate
Alexandria
42.0%
Garland
61.6%
Garland +
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Garland, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $679,447 | $289,605 | Garland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.0% | 61.6% | Garland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Alexandria
240
Alexandria +
Garland
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Alexandria
1726
Alexandria +
Garland
2339
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Garland, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 442 | Alexandria + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 2339 | Alexandria + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Alexandria
31.7%
Alexandria +
Garland
34.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Alexandria
9.2%
Alexandria +
Garland
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Alexandria
15.0%
Alexandria +
Garland
17.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Alexandria
8.6%
Alexandria +
Garland
22.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Alexandria
16.5%
Garland
16.1%
Garland +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Alexandria
9.1%
Alexandria +
Garland
13.1%
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Garland, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.7% | 34.7% | Alexandria + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 13.0% | Alexandria + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.0% | 17.3% | Alexandria + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.6% | 22.6% | Alexandria + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 16.1% | Garland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 13.1% | Alexandria + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Alexandria
N/A
Garland
69.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Alexandria
N/A
Garland
49.5 in
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Garland, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 69.1°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 49.5 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Alexandria
8.2 µg/m³
Alexandria +
Garland
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Alexandria
75.0%
Alexandria +
Garland
55.0%
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Garland, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Alexandria + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Alexandria + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Alexandria
31.8 min
Alexandria +
Garland
32.5 min
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Garland, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.8 min | 32.5 min | Alexandria + |
Which City is Right for You?
Alexandria leads in median household income at $113,638, while garland offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $289,605. On public safety, Alexandria is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Garland. 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%.
Compare More Cities
Alexandria, VA vs New York, NYAlexandria, VA vs Los Angeles, CAAlexandria, VA vs Chicago, ILAlexandria, VA vs Houston, TXAlexandria, VA vs Phoenix, AZAlexandria, VA vs Philadelphia, PA