Alexandria VA vs Newark NJ — 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%
Newark, NJ
New Jersey · Population: 307,188
- Median HH Income$48,416
- Median Home Price$482,675
- Unemployment10.9%
- Bachelor's+17.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Alexandria
156,788
Newark
307,188
Newark +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Alexandria
N/A
Newark
N/A
Median Age
Alexandria
37.5
Newark
34.8
Newark +
Foreign Born
Alexandria
24.6%
Newark
34.9%
Newark +
White
Alexandria
53.6%
Alexandria +
Newark
16.5%
Black
Alexandria
21.1%
Newark
46.7%
Newark +
Asian
Alexandria
6.3%
Alexandria +
Newark
1.9%
Hispanic
Alexandria
18.2%
Newark
37.2%
Newark +
Spanish at Home
Alexandria
N/A
Newark
N/A
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 156,788 | 307,188 | Newark + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.5 | 34.8 | Newark + |
| Foreign Born | 24.6% | 34.9% | Newark + |
| White | 53.6% | 16.5% | Alexandria + |
| Black | 21.1% | 46.7% | Newark + |
| Asian | 6.3% | 1.9% | Alexandria + |
| Hispanic | 18.2% | 37.2% | Newark + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Alexandria
$113,638
Alexandria +
Newark
$48,416
Per Capita Income
Alexandria
$77,935
Alexandria +
Newark
$25,509
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Alexandria
$69,581
Newark
$77,416
Newark +
Unemployment Rate
Alexandria
3.4%
Alexandria +
Newark
10.9%
Poverty Rate
Alexandria
8.4%
Alexandria +
Newark
24.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Alexandria
65.8%
Alexandria +
Newark
17.4%
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $113,638 | $48,416 | Alexandria + |
| Per Capita Income | $77,935 | $25,509 | Alexandria + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $77,416 | Newark + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.4% | 10.9% | Alexandria + |
| Poverty Rate | 8.4% | 24.7% | Alexandria + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 65.8% | 17.4% | Alexandria + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Alexandria
$679,447
Newark
$482,675
Newark +
Homeownership Rate
Alexandria
42.0%
Alexandria +
Newark
24.1%
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $679,447 | $482,675 | Newark + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.0% | 24.1% | Alexandria + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Alexandria
240
Newark
218
Newark +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Alexandria
1726
Newark
1426
Newark +
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 218 | Newark + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 1426 | Newark + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Alexandria
31.7%
Alexandria +
Newark
35.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Alexandria
9.2%
Alexandria +
Newark
14.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Alexandria
15.0%
Alexandria +
Newark
20.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Alexandria
8.6%
Alexandria +
Newark
23.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Alexandria
16.5%
Newark
14.3%
Newark +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Alexandria
9.1%
Alexandria +
Newark
18.2%
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.7% | 35.9% | Alexandria + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 14.6% | Alexandria + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.0% | 20.0% | Alexandria + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.6% | 23.4% | Alexandria + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 14.3% | Newark + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 18.2% | Alexandria + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Alexandria
N/A
Newark
54.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Alexandria
N/A
Newark
46.3 in
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 54.9°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 46.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Alexandria
8.2 µg/m³
Alexandria +
Newark
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Alexandria
75.0%
Newark
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Alexandria + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Alexandria
31.8 min
Alexandria +
Newark
35.9 min
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.8 min | 35.9 min | Alexandria + |
Which City is Right for You?
Alexandria leads in median household income at $113,638, while newark offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $482,675. On public safety, Newark is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 240 in Alexandria. Alexandria has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, and Alexandria has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Alexandria scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.7%.
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