Alexandria VA vs Jersey City NJ — 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%
Jersey City, NJ
New Jersey · Population: 289,691
- Median HH Income$94,813
- Median Home Price$664,939
- Unemployment5.8%
- Bachelor's+53.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Alexandria
156,788
Jersey City
289,691
Jersey City +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Alexandria
N/A
Jersey City
N/A
Median Age
Alexandria
37.5
Jersey City
34.7
Jersey City +
Foreign Born
Alexandria
24.6%
Jersey City
41.3%
Jersey City +
White
Alexandria
53.6%
Alexandria +
Jersey City
28.7%
Black
Alexandria
21.1%
Jersey City
21.4%
Jersey City +
Asian
Alexandria
6.3%
Jersey City
25.8%
Jersey City +
Hispanic
Alexandria
18.2%
Jersey City
25.7%
Jersey City +
Spanish at Home
Alexandria
N/A
Jersey City
N/A
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 156,788 | 289,691 | Jersey City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.5 | 34.7 | Jersey City + |
| Foreign Born | 24.6% | 41.3% | Jersey City + |
| White | 53.6% | 28.7% | Alexandria + |
| Black | 21.1% | 21.4% | Jersey City + |
| Asian | 6.3% | 25.8% | Jersey City + |
| Hispanic | 18.2% | 25.7% | Jersey City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Alexandria
$113,638
Alexandria +
Jersey City
$94,813
Per Capita Income
Alexandria
$77,935
Alexandria +
Jersey City
$57,746
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Alexandria
$69,581
Jersey City
$77,416
Jersey City +
Unemployment Rate
Alexandria
3.4%
Alexandria +
Jersey City
5.8%
Poverty Rate
Alexandria
8.4%
Alexandria +
Jersey City
15.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Alexandria
65.8%
Alexandria +
Jersey City
53.1%
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $113,638 | $94,813 | Alexandria + |
| Per Capita Income | $77,935 | $57,746 | Alexandria + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $77,416 | Jersey City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.4% | 5.8% | Alexandria + |
| Poverty Rate | 8.4% | 15.6% | Alexandria + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 65.8% | 53.1% | Alexandria + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Alexandria
$679,447
Jersey City
$664,939
Jersey City +
Homeownership Rate
Alexandria
42.0%
Alexandria +
Jersey City
28.8%
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $679,447 | $664,939 | Jersey City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.0% | 28.8% | Alexandria + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Alexandria
240
Jersey City
218
Jersey City +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Alexandria
1726
Jersey City
1426
Jersey City +
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 218 | Jersey City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 1426 | Jersey City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Alexandria
31.7%
Jersey City
26.2%
Jersey City +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Alexandria
9.2%
Alexandria +
Jersey City
9.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Alexandria
15.0%
Jersey City
14.9%
Jersey City +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Alexandria
8.6%
Alexandria +
Jersey City
12.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Alexandria
16.5%
Jersey City
16.3%
Jersey City +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Alexandria
9.1%
Alexandria +
Jersey City
10.3%
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.7% | 26.2% | Jersey City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 9.6% | Alexandria + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.0% | 14.9% | Jersey City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.6% | 12.0% | Alexandria + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 16.3% | Jersey City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 10.3% | Alexandria + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Alexandria
N/A
Jersey City
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Alexandria
N/A
Jersey City
N/A
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Alexandria
8.2 µg/m³
Alexandria +
Jersey City
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Alexandria
75.0%
Jersey City
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Alexandria + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Alexandria
31.8 min
Alexandria +
Jersey City
40.3 min
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.8 min | 40.3 min | Alexandria + |
Which City is Right for You?
Alexandria leads in median household income at $113,638, while jersey City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $664,939. On public safety, Jersey City is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 240 in Alexandria. 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, Jersey City scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.2%.
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