Alexandria VA vs Irvine 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%
Irvine, CA
California · Population: 308,160
- Median HH Income$129,647
- Median Home Price$1,566,872
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+70.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Alexandria
156,788
Irvine
308,160
Irvine +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Alexandria
N/A
Irvine
N/A
Median Age
Alexandria
37.5
Irvine
33.9
Irvine +
Foreign Born
Alexandria
24.6%
Irvine
39.3%
Irvine +
White
Alexandria
53.6%
Alexandria +
Irvine
38.7%
Black
Alexandria
21.1%
Alexandria +
Irvine
2.0%
Asian
Alexandria
6.3%
Irvine
44.1%
Irvine +
Hispanic
Alexandria
18.2%
Alexandria +
Irvine
11.3%
Spanish at Home
Alexandria
N/A
Irvine
N/A
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Irvine, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 156,788 | 308,160 | Irvine + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.5 | 33.9 | Irvine + |
| Foreign Born | 24.6% | 39.3% | Irvine + |
| White | 53.6% | 38.7% | Alexandria + |
| Black | 21.1% | 2.0% | Alexandria + |
| Asian | 6.3% | 44.1% | Irvine + |
| Hispanic | 18.2% | 11.3% | Alexandria + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Alexandria
$113,638
Irvine
$129,647
Irvine +
Per Capita Income
Alexandria
$77,935
Alexandria +
Irvine
$62,149
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Alexandria
$69,581
Irvine
$77,230
Irvine +
Unemployment Rate
Alexandria
3.4%
Alexandria +
Irvine
5.5%
Poverty Rate
Alexandria
8.4%
Alexandria +
Irvine
11.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Alexandria
65.8%
Irvine
70.6%
Irvine +
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Irvine, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $113,638 | $129,647 | Irvine + |
| Per Capita Income | $77,935 | $62,149 | Alexandria + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $77,230 | Irvine + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.4% | 5.5% | Alexandria + |
| Poverty Rate | 8.4% | 11.7% | Alexandria + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 65.8% | 70.6% | Irvine + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Alexandria
$679,447
Alexandria +
Irvine
$1,566,872
Homeownership Rate
Alexandria
42.0%
Irvine
43.8%
Irvine +
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Irvine, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $679,447 | $1,566,872 | Alexandria + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.0% | 43.8% | Irvine + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Alexandria
240
Alexandria +
Irvine
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Alexandria
1726
Alexandria +
Irvine
2388
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Irvine, 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%
Irvine
19.2%
Irvine +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Alexandria
9.2%
Irvine
8.3%
Irvine +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Alexandria
15.0%
Alexandria +
Irvine
15.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Alexandria
8.6%
Irvine
5.0%
Irvine +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Alexandria
16.5%
Irvine
15.2%
Irvine +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Alexandria
9.1%
Irvine
6.9%
Irvine +
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Irvine, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.7% | 19.2% | Irvine + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 8.3% | Irvine + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.0% | 15.4% | Alexandria + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.6% | 5.0% | Irvine + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 15.2% | Irvine + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 6.9% | Irvine + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Alexandria
N/A
Irvine
65.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Alexandria
N/A
Irvine
14.3 in
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Irvine, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 65.3°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 14.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Alexandria
8.2 µg/m³
Irvine
7.9 µg/m³
Irvine +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Alexandria
75.0%
Irvine
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Irvine, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Irvine + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Alexandria
31.8 min
Irvine
26.0 min
Irvine +
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Irvine, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.8 min | 26.0 min | Irvine + |
Which City is Right for You?
Irvine leads in median household income at $129,647, 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 Irvine. Alexandria has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, and Irvine has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Irvine scores better with a lower obesity rate of 19.2%.
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