Alexandria VA vs Manchester NH — 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%
Manchester, NH
New Hampshire · Population: 115,415
- Median HH Income$77,415
- Median Home Price$441,257
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+33.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Alexandria
156,788
Alexandria +
Manchester
115,415
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Alexandria
N/A
Manchester
N/A
Median Age
Alexandria
37.5
Alexandria +
Manchester
37.9
Foreign Born
Alexandria
24.6%
Alexandria +
Manchester
14.8%
White
Alexandria
53.6%
Manchester
76.7%
Manchester +
Black
Alexandria
21.1%
Alexandria +
Manchester
5.3%
Asian
Alexandria
6.3%
Alexandria +
Manchester
4.6%
Hispanic
Alexandria
18.2%
Alexandria +
Manchester
13.5%
Spanish at Home
Alexandria
N/A
Manchester
N/A
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 156,788 | 115,415 | Alexandria + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.5 | 37.9 | Alexandria + |
| Foreign Born | 24.6% | 14.8% | Alexandria + |
| White | 53.6% | 76.7% | Manchester + |
| Black | 21.1% | 5.3% | Alexandria + |
| Asian | 6.3% | 4.6% | Alexandria + |
| Hispanic | 18.2% | 13.5% | Alexandria + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Alexandria
$113,638
Alexandria +
Manchester
$77,415
Per Capita Income
Alexandria
$77,935
Alexandria +
Manchester
$44,220
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Alexandria
$69,581
Manchester
$75,331
Manchester +
Unemployment Rate
Alexandria
3.4%
Alexandria +
Manchester
3.8%
Poverty Rate
Alexandria
8.4%
Alexandria +
Manchester
10.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Alexandria
65.8%
Alexandria +
Manchester
33.5%
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $113,638 | $77,415 | Alexandria + |
| Per Capita Income | $77,935 | $44,220 | Alexandria + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $75,331 | Manchester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.4% | 3.8% | Alexandria + |
| Poverty Rate | 8.4% | 10.7% | Alexandria + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 65.8% | 33.5% | Alexandria + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Alexandria
$679,447
Manchester
$441,257
Manchester +
Homeownership Rate
Alexandria
42.0%
Manchester
49.3%
Manchester +
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $679,447 | $441,257 | Manchester + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.0% | 49.3% | Manchester + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Alexandria
240
Manchester
134
Manchester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Alexandria
1726
Manchester
1048
Manchester +
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 134 | Manchester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 1048 | Manchester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Alexandria
31.7%
Alexandria +
Manchester
35.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Alexandria
9.2%
Alexandria +
Manchester
9.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Alexandria
15.0%
Alexandria +
Manchester
17.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Alexandria
8.6%
Alexandria +
Manchester
9.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Alexandria
16.5%
Manchester
16.4%
Manchester +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Alexandria
9.1%
Alexandria +
Manchester
12.9%
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.7% | 35.0% | Alexandria + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 9.4% | Alexandria + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.0% | 17.4% | Alexandria + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.6% | 9.9% | Alexandria + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 16.4% | Manchester + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 12.9% | Alexandria + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Alexandria
N/A
Manchester
49.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Alexandria
N/A
Manchester
44.6 in
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 49.2°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 44.6 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Alexandria
8.2 µg/m³
Manchester
5.9 µg/m³
Manchester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Alexandria
75.0%
Manchester
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 5.9 µg/m³ | Manchester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Alexandria
31.8 min
Manchester
25.7 min
Manchester +
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.8 min | 25.7 min | Manchester + |
Which City is Right for You?
Alexandria leads in median household income at $113,638, while manchester offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $441,257. On public safety, Manchester is safer with a violent crime rate of 134 per 100,000 residents, compared to 240 in Alexandria. Alexandria has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, and Manchester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Alexandria scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.7%.
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