Alexandria VA vs Miami Gardens FL — 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%
Miami Gardens, FL
Florida · Population: 11,627
- Median HH Income$137,873
- Median Home Price$472,888
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+64.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Alexandria
156,788
Alexandria +
Miami Gardens
11,627
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Alexandria
N/A
Miami Gardens
N/A
Median Age
Alexandria
37.5
Alexandria +
Miami Gardens
37.7
Foreign Born
Alexandria
24.6%
Miami Gardens
29.1%
Miami Gardens +
White
Alexandria
53.6%
Alexandria +
Miami Gardens
52.5%
Black
Alexandria
21.1%
Alexandria +
Miami Gardens
15.3%
Asian
Alexandria
6.3%
Alexandria +
Miami Gardens
3.5%
Hispanic
Alexandria
18.2%
Miami Gardens
34.0%
Miami Gardens +
Spanish at Home
Alexandria
N/A
Miami Gardens
N/A
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Miami Gardens, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 156,788 | 11,627 | Alexandria + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.5 | 37.7 | Alexandria + |
| Foreign Born | 24.6% | 29.1% | Miami Gardens + |
| White | 53.6% | 52.5% | Alexandria + |
| Black | 21.1% | 15.3% | Alexandria + |
| Asian | 6.3% | 3.5% | Alexandria + |
| Hispanic | 18.2% | 34.0% | Miami Gardens + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Alexandria
$113,638
Miami Gardens
$137,873
Miami Gardens +
Per Capita Income
Alexandria
$77,935
Alexandria +
Miami Gardens
$57,003
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Alexandria
$69,581
Alexandria +
Miami Gardens
$65,328
Unemployment Rate
Alexandria
3.4%
Alexandria +
Miami Gardens
6.5%
Poverty Rate
Alexandria
8.4%
Miami Gardens
7.9%
Miami Gardens +
Bachelor's Degree+
Alexandria
65.8%
Alexandria +
Miami Gardens
64.7%
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Miami Gardens, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $113,638 | $137,873 | Miami Gardens + |
| Per Capita Income | $77,935 | $57,003 | Alexandria + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $65,328 | Alexandria + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.4% | 6.5% | Alexandria + |
| Poverty Rate | 8.4% | 7.9% | Miami Gardens + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 65.8% | 64.7% | Alexandria + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Alexandria
$679,447
Miami Gardens
$472,888
Miami Gardens +
Homeownership Rate
Alexandria
42.0%
Miami Gardens
86.7%
Miami Gardens +
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Miami Gardens, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $679,447 | $472,888 | Miami Gardens + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.0% | 86.7% | Miami Gardens + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Alexandria
240
Alexandria +
Miami Gardens
324
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Alexandria
1726
Miami Gardens
1453
Miami Gardens +
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Miami Gardens, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 324 | Alexandria + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 1453 | Miami Gardens + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Alexandria
31.7%
Alexandria +
Miami Gardens
34.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Alexandria
9.2%
Alexandria +
Miami Gardens
17.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Alexandria
15.0%
Alexandria +
Miami Gardens
17.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Alexandria
8.6%
Alexandria +
Miami Gardens
22.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Alexandria
16.5%
Miami Gardens
12.7%
Miami Gardens +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Alexandria
9.1%
Alexandria +
Miami Gardens
15.4%
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Miami Gardens, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.7% | 34.3% | Alexandria + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 17.3% | Alexandria + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.0% | 17.5% | Alexandria + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.6% | 22.4% | Alexandria + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 12.7% | Miami Gardens + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 15.4% | Alexandria + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Alexandria
N/A
Miami Gardens
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Alexandria
N/A
Miami Gardens
N/A
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Miami Gardens, FL | 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
Miami Gardens
7.2 µg/m³
Miami Gardens +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Alexandria
75.0%
Miami Gardens
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Miami Gardens, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Miami Gardens + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Alexandria
31.8 min
Miami Gardens
29.2 min
Miami Gardens +
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Miami Gardens, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.8 min | 29.2 min | Miami Gardens + |
Which City is Right for You?
Miami Gardens leads in median household income at $137,873, while miami Gardens offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $472,888. On public safety, Alexandria is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 324 in Miami Gardens. Alexandria has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, and Miami Gardens has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Alexandria scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.7%.
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