Alexandria VA vs Norfolk VA — 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%
Norfolk, VA
Virginia · Population: 235,037
- Median HH Income$64,017
- Median Home Price$310,519
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+32.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Alexandria
156,788
Norfolk
235,037
Norfolk +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Alexandria
N/A
Norfolk
N/A
Median Age
Alexandria
37.5
Norfolk
32.4
Norfolk +
Foreign Born
Alexandria
24.6%
Alexandria +
Norfolk
7.7%
White
Alexandria
53.6%
Alexandria +
Norfolk
44.0%
Black
Alexandria
21.1%
Norfolk
39.8%
Norfolk +
Asian
Alexandria
6.3%
Alexandria +
Norfolk
3.7%
Hispanic
Alexandria
18.2%
Alexandria +
Norfolk
9.9%
Spanish at Home
Alexandria
N/A
Norfolk
N/A
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 156,788 | 235,037 | Norfolk + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.5 | 32.4 | Norfolk + |
| Foreign Born | 24.6% | 7.7% | Alexandria + |
| White | 53.6% | 44.0% | Alexandria + |
| Black | 21.1% | 39.8% | Norfolk + |
| Asian | 6.3% | 3.7% | Alexandria + |
| Hispanic | 18.2% | 9.9% | Alexandria + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Alexandria
$113,638
Alexandria +
Norfolk
$64,017
Per Capita Income
Alexandria
$77,935
Alexandria +
Norfolk
$37,433
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Alexandria
$69,581
Norfolk
$69,581
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Alexandria
3.4%
Alexandria +
Norfolk
6.1%
Poverty Rate
Alexandria
8.4%
Alexandria +
Norfolk
17.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Alexandria
65.8%
Alexandria +
Norfolk
32.7%
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $113,638 | $64,017 | Alexandria + |
| Per Capita Income | $77,935 | $37,433 | Alexandria + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $69,581 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.4% | 6.1% | Alexandria + |
| Poverty Rate | 8.4% | 17.3% | Alexandria + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 65.8% | 32.7% | Alexandria + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Alexandria
$679,447
Norfolk
$310,519
Norfolk +
Homeownership Rate
Alexandria
42.0%
Norfolk
45.7%
Norfolk +
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $679,447 | $310,519 | Norfolk + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.0% | 45.7% | Norfolk + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Alexandria
240
Norfolk
240
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Alexandria
1726
Norfolk
1726
Tie
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 240 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 1726 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Alexandria
31.7%
Alexandria +
Norfolk
39.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Alexandria
9.2%
Alexandria +
Norfolk
12.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Alexandria
15.0%
Alexandria +
Norfolk
19.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Alexandria
8.6%
Alexandria +
Norfolk
10.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Alexandria
16.5%
Alexandria +
Norfolk
17.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Alexandria
9.1%
Alexandria +
Norfolk
13.7%
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.7% | 39.9% | Alexandria + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 12.4% | Alexandria + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.0% | 19.4% | Alexandria + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.6% | 10.9% | Alexandria + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 17.1% | Alexandria + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 13.7% | Alexandria + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Alexandria
N/A
Norfolk
60.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Alexandria
N/A
Norfolk
50.8 in
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 60.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 50.8 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Alexandria
8.2 µg/m³
Norfolk
8.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Alexandria
75.0%
Norfolk
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Alexandria
31.8 min
Norfolk
24.4 min
Norfolk +
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.8 min | 24.4 min | Norfolk + |
Which City is Right for You?
Alexandria leads in median household income at $113,638, while norfolk offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $310,519. On public safety, Norfolk is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 240 in Alexandria. Alexandria has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, and Norfolk 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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