Alexandria VA vs Mesa AZ — 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%
Mesa, AZ
Arizona · Population: 507,478
- Median HH Income$78,779
- Median Home Price$435,670
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+31.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Alexandria
156,788
Mesa
507,478
Mesa +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Alexandria
N/A
Mesa
N/A
Median Age
Alexandria
37.5
Mesa
37.2
Mesa +
Foreign Born
Alexandria
24.6%
Alexandria +
Mesa
11.2%
White
Alexandria
53.6%
Mesa
69.7%
Mesa +
Black
Alexandria
21.1%
Alexandria +
Mesa
4.4%
Asian
Alexandria
6.3%
Alexandria +
Mesa
2.5%
Hispanic
Alexandria
18.2%
Mesa
26.6%
Mesa +
Spanish at Home
Alexandria
N/A
Mesa
N/A
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 156,788 | 507,478 | Mesa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.5 | 37.2 | Mesa + |
| Foreign Born | 24.6% | 11.2% | Alexandria + |
| White | 53.6% | 69.7% | Mesa + |
| Black | 21.1% | 4.4% | Alexandria + |
| Asian | 6.3% | 2.5% | Alexandria + |
| Hispanic | 18.2% | 26.6% | Mesa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Alexandria
$113,638
Alexandria +
Mesa
$78,779
Per Capita Income
Alexandria
$77,935
Alexandria +
Mesa
$39,586
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Alexandria
$69,581
Alexandria +
Mesa
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Alexandria
3.4%
Alexandria +
Mesa
4.6%
Poverty Rate
Alexandria
8.4%
Alexandria +
Mesa
10.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Alexandria
65.8%
Alexandria +
Mesa
31.5%
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $113,638 | $78,779 | Alexandria + |
| Per Capita Income | $77,935 | $39,586 | Alexandria + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $59,120 | Alexandria + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.4% | 4.6% | Alexandria + |
| Poverty Rate | 8.4% | 10.5% | Alexandria + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 65.8% | 31.5% | Alexandria + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Alexandria
$679,447
Mesa
$435,670
Mesa +
Homeownership Rate
Alexandria
42.0%
Mesa
64.3%
Mesa +
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $679,447 | $435,670 | Mesa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.0% | 64.3% | Mesa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Alexandria
240
Alexandria +
Mesa
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Alexandria
1726
Alexandria +
Mesa
2150
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 450 | Alexandria + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 2150 | Alexandria + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Alexandria
31.7%
Mesa
30.7%
Mesa +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Alexandria
9.2%
Alexandria +
Mesa
10.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Alexandria
15.0%
Alexandria +
Mesa
15.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Alexandria
8.6%
Alexandria +
Mesa
13.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Alexandria
16.5%
Mesa
16.1%
Mesa +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Alexandria
9.1%
Alexandria +
Mesa
11.4%
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.7% | 30.7% | Mesa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 10.6% | Alexandria + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.0% | 15.5% | Alexandria + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.6% | 13.0% | Alexandria + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 16.1% | Mesa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 11.4% | Alexandria + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Alexandria
N/A
Mesa
71.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Alexandria
N/A
Mesa
11.7 in
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 71.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 11.7 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Alexandria
8.2 µg/m³
Mesa
7.1 µg/m³
Mesa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Alexandria
75.0%
Mesa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Mesa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Alexandria
31.8 min
Mesa
26.7 min
Mesa +
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.8 min | 26.7 min | Mesa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Alexandria leads in median household income at $113,638, while mesa offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $435,670. On public safety, Alexandria is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 450 in Mesa. Alexandria has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, and Mesa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Mesa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.7%.
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