Alexandria VA vs Modesto 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%
Modesto, CA
California · Population: 218,614
- Median HH Income$77,899
- Median Home Price$447,353
- Unemployment7.3%
- Bachelor's+20.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Alexandria
156,788
Modesto
218,614
Modesto +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Alexandria
N/A
Modesto
N/A
Median Age
Alexandria
37.5
Modesto
35.4
Modesto +
Foreign Born
Alexandria
24.6%
Alexandria +
Modesto
18.7%
White
Alexandria
53.6%
Alexandria +
Modesto
50.8%
Black
Alexandria
21.1%
Alexandria +
Modesto
4.7%
Asian
Alexandria
6.3%
Modesto
7.4%
Modesto +
Hispanic
Alexandria
18.2%
Modesto
43.9%
Modesto +
Spanish at Home
Alexandria
N/A
Modesto
N/A
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 156,788 | 218,614 | Modesto + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.5 | 35.4 | Modesto + |
| Foreign Born | 24.6% | 18.7% | Alexandria + |
| White | 53.6% | 50.8% | Alexandria + |
| Black | 21.1% | 4.7% | Alexandria + |
| Asian | 6.3% | 7.4% | Modesto + |
| Hispanic | 18.2% | 43.9% | Modesto + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Alexandria
$113,638
Alexandria +
Modesto
$77,899
Per Capita Income
Alexandria
$77,935
Alexandria +
Modesto
$34,656
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Alexandria
$69,581
Modesto
$77,230
Modesto +
Unemployment Rate
Alexandria
3.4%
Alexandria +
Modesto
7.3%
Poverty Rate
Alexandria
8.4%
Alexandria +
Modesto
13.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Alexandria
65.8%
Alexandria +
Modesto
20.3%
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $113,638 | $77,899 | Alexandria + |
| Per Capita Income | $77,935 | $34,656 | Alexandria + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $77,230 | Modesto + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.4% | 7.3% | Alexandria + |
| Poverty Rate | 8.4% | 13.0% | Alexandria + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 65.8% | 20.3% | Alexandria + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Alexandria
$679,447
Modesto
$447,353
Modesto +
Homeownership Rate
Alexandria
42.0%
Modesto
58.4%
Modesto +
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $679,447 | $447,353 | Modesto + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.0% | 58.4% | Modesto + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Alexandria
240
Alexandria +
Modesto
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Alexandria
1726
Alexandria +
Modesto
2388
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Modesto, 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%
Alexandria +
Modesto
36.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Alexandria
9.2%
Alexandria +
Modesto
12.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Alexandria
15.0%
Alexandria +
Modesto
19.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Alexandria
8.6%
Alexandria +
Modesto
13.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Alexandria
16.5%
Modesto
16.5%
Tie
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Alexandria
9.1%
Alexandria +
Modesto
13.7%
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.7% | 36.2% | Alexandria + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 12.1% | Alexandria + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.0% | 19.0% | Alexandria + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.6% | 13.0% | Alexandria + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 16.5% | Tie |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 13.7% | Alexandria + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Alexandria
N/A
Modesto
63.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Alexandria
N/A
Modesto
13.1 in
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 63.7°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 13.1 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Alexandria
8.2 µg/m³
Modesto
7.9 µg/m³
Modesto +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Alexandria
75.0%
Modesto
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Modesto + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Alexandria
31.8 min
Modesto
30.5 min
Modesto +
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.8 min | 30.5 min | Modesto + |
Which City is Right for You?
Alexandria leads in median household income at $113,638, while modesto offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $447,353. On public safety, Alexandria is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Modesto. Alexandria has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, and Modesto has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Alexandria scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.7%.
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