Alexandria VA vs Lancaster 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%
Lancaster, CA
California · Population: 170,013
- Median HH Income$76,083
- Median Home Price$466,147
- Unemployment7.1%
- Bachelor's+20.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Alexandria
156,788
Lancaster
170,013
Lancaster +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Alexandria
N/A
Lancaster
N/A
Median Age
Alexandria
37.5
Lancaster
34.2
Lancaster +
Foreign Born
Alexandria
24.6%
Alexandria +
Lancaster
13.9%
White
Alexandria
53.6%
Alexandria +
Lancaster
35.5%
Black
Alexandria
21.1%
Lancaster
21.4%
Lancaster +
Asian
Alexandria
6.3%
Alexandria +
Lancaster
4.0%
Hispanic
Alexandria
18.2%
Lancaster
45.9%
Lancaster +
Spanish at Home
Alexandria
N/A
Lancaster
N/A
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 156,788 | 170,013 | Lancaster + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.5 | 34.2 | Lancaster + |
| Foreign Born | 24.6% | 13.9% | Alexandria + |
| White | 53.6% | 35.5% | Alexandria + |
| Black | 21.1% | 21.4% | Lancaster + |
| Asian | 6.3% | 4.0% | Alexandria + |
| Hispanic | 18.2% | 45.9% | Lancaster + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Alexandria
$113,638
Alexandria +
Lancaster
$76,083
Per Capita Income
Alexandria
$77,935
Alexandria +
Lancaster
$29,766
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Alexandria
$69,581
Lancaster
$77,230
Lancaster +
Unemployment Rate
Alexandria
3.4%
Alexandria +
Lancaster
7.1%
Poverty Rate
Alexandria
8.4%
Alexandria +
Lancaster
15.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Alexandria
65.8%
Alexandria +
Lancaster
20.1%
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $113,638 | $76,083 | Alexandria + |
| Per Capita Income | $77,935 | $29,766 | Alexandria + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $77,230 | Lancaster + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.4% | 7.1% | Alexandria + |
| Poverty Rate | 8.4% | 15.5% | Alexandria + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 65.8% | 20.1% | Alexandria + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Alexandria
$679,447
Lancaster
$466,147
Lancaster +
Homeownership Rate
Alexandria
42.0%
Lancaster
58.4%
Lancaster +
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $679,447 | $466,147 | Lancaster + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.0% | 58.4% | Lancaster + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Alexandria
240
Alexandria +
Lancaster
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Alexandria
1726
Alexandria +
Lancaster
2388
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Lancaster, 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%
Lancaster
30.6%
Lancaster +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Alexandria
9.2%
Alexandria +
Lancaster
12.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Alexandria
15.0%
Alexandria +
Lancaster
19.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Alexandria
8.6%
Alexandria +
Lancaster
12.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Alexandria
16.5%
Lancaster
15.8%
Lancaster +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Alexandria
9.1%
Alexandria +
Lancaster
14.0%
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.7% | 30.6% | Lancaster + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 12.6% | Alexandria + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.0% | 19.3% | Alexandria + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.6% | 12.9% | Alexandria + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 15.8% | Lancaster + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 14.0% | Alexandria + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Alexandria
N/A
Lancaster
62.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Alexandria
N/A
Lancaster
7.4 in
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 62.1°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 7.4 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Alexandria
8.2 µg/m³
Lancaster
7.9 µg/m³
Lancaster +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Alexandria
75.0%
Lancaster
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Lancaster + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Alexandria
31.8 min
Alexandria +
Lancaster
33.0 min
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.8 min | 33.0 min | Alexandria + |
Which City is Right for You?
Alexandria leads in median household income at $113,638, while lancaster offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $466,147. On public safety, Alexandria is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Lancaster. Alexandria has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, and Lancaster has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lancaster scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.6%.
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