Alexandria VA vs Hartford CT — 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%
Hartford, CT
Connecticut · Population: 119,970
- Median HH Income$45,300
- Median Home Price$199,359
- Unemployment10.6%
- Bachelor's+18.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Alexandria
156,788
Alexandria +
Hartford
119,970
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Alexandria
N/A
Hartford
N/A
Median Age
Alexandria
37.5
Hartford
33.4
Hartford +
Foreign Born
Alexandria
24.6%
Alexandria +
Hartford
23.0%
White
Alexandria
53.6%
Alexandria +
Hartford
26.4%
Black
Alexandria
21.1%
Hartford
36.1%
Hartford +
Asian
Alexandria
6.3%
Alexandria +
Hartford
2.3%
Hispanic
Alexandria
18.2%
Hartford
44.8%
Hartford +
Spanish at Home
Alexandria
N/A
Hartford
N/A
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 156,788 | 119,970 | Alexandria + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.5 | 33.4 | Hartford + |
| Foreign Born | 24.6% | 23.0% | Alexandria + |
| White | 53.6% | 26.4% | Alexandria + |
| Black | 21.1% | 36.1% | Hartford + |
| Asian | 6.3% | 2.3% | Alexandria + |
| Hispanic | 18.2% | 44.8% | Hartford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Alexandria
$113,638
Alexandria +
Hartford
$45,300
Per Capita Income
Alexandria
$77,935
Alexandria +
Hartford
$27,319
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Alexandria
$69,581
Hartford
$85,393
Hartford +
Unemployment Rate
Alexandria
3.4%
Alexandria +
Hartford
10.6%
Poverty Rate
Alexandria
8.4%
Alexandria +
Hartford
25.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Alexandria
65.8%
Alexandria +
Hartford
18.3%
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $113,638 | $45,300 | Alexandria + |
| Per Capita Income | $77,935 | $27,319 | Alexandria + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $85,393 | Hartford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.4% | 10.6% | Alexandria + |
| Poverty Rate | 8.4% | 25.5% | Alexandria + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 65.8% | 18.3% | Alexandria + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Alexandria
$679,447
Hartford
$199,359
Hartford +
Homeownership Rate
Alexandria
42.0%
Alexandria +
Hartford
25.8%
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $679,447 | $199,359 | Hartford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.0% | 25.8% | Alexandria + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Alexandria
240
Hartford
156
Hartford +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Alexandria
1726
Hartford
1524
Hartford +
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 156 | Hartford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 1524 | Hartford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Alexandria
31.7%
Alexandria +
Hartford
40.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Alexandria
9.2%
Alexandria +
Hartford
15.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Alexandria
15.0%
Alexandria +
Hartford
20.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Alexandria
8.6%
Alexandria +
Hartford
20.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Alexandria
16.5%
Hartford
13.7%
Hartford +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Alexandria
9.1%
Alexandria +
Hartford
16.3%
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.7% | 40.4% | Alexandria + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 15.8% | Alexandria + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.0% | 20.8% | Alexandria + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.6% | 20.3% | Alexandria + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 13.7% | Hartford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 16.3% | Alexandria + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Alexandria
N/A
Hartford
50.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Alexandria
N/A
Hartford
45.9 in
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 50.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 45.9 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Alexandria
8.2 µg/m³
Hartford
7.7 µg/m³
Hartford +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Alexandria
75.0%
Hartford
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Hartford + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Alexandria
31.8 min
Hartford
24.4 min
Hartford +
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.8 min | 24.4 min | Hartford + |
Which City is Right for You?
Alexandria leads in median household income at $113,638, while hartford offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $199,359. On public safety, Hartford is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 per 100,000 residents, compared to 240 in Alexandria. Alexandria has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, and Hartford has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Alexandria scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.7%.
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