Alexandria VA vs Ontario 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%
Ontario, CA
California · Population: 138,723
- Median HH Income$116,945
- Median Home Price$671,948
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+40.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Alexandria
156,788
Alexandria +
Ontario
138,723
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Alexandria
N/A
Ontario
N/A
Median Age
Alexandria
37.5
Ontario
36.9
Ontario +
Foreign Born
Alexandria
24.6%
Alexandria +
Ontario
21.0%
White
Alexandria
53.6%
Ontario
53.6%
Ontario +
Black
Alexandria
21.1%
Alexandria +
Ontario
1.6%
Asian
Alexandria
6.3%
Ontario
13.1%
Ontario +
Hispanic
Alexandria
18.2%
Ontario
40.0%
Ontario +
Spanish at Home
Alexandria
N/A
Ontario
N/A
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 156,788 | 138,723 | Alexandria + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.5 | 36.9 | Ontario + |
| Foreign Born | 24.6% | 21.0% | Alexandria + |
| White | 53.6% | 53.6% | Ontario + |
| Black | 21.1% | 1.6% | Alexandria + |
| Asian | 6.3% | 13.1% | Ontario + |
| Hispanic | 18.2% | 40.0% | Ontario + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Alexandria
$113,638
Ontario
$116,945
Ontario +
Per Capita Income
Alexandria
$77,935
Alexandria +
Ontario
$50,759
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Alexandria
$69,581
Ontario
$77,230
Ontario +
Unemployment Rate
Alexandria
3.4%
Alexandria +
Ontario
4.7%
Poverty Rate
Alexandria
8.4%
Alexandria +
Ontario
9.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Alexandria
65.8%
Alexandria +
Ontario
40.1%
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $113,638 | $116,945 | Ontario + |
| Per Capita Income | $77,935 | $50,759 | Alexandria + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $77,230 | Ontario + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.4% | 4.7% | Alexandria + |
| Poverty Rate | 8.4% | 9.2% | Alexandria + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 65.8% | 40.1% | Alexandria + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Alexandria
$679,447
Ontario
$671,948
Ontario +
Homeownership Rate
Alexandria
42.0%
Ontario
58.1%
Ontario +
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $679,447 | $671,948 | Ontario + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.0% | 58.1% | Ontario + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Alexandria
240
Alexandria +
Ontario
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Alexandria
1726
Alexandria +
Ontario
2388
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Ontario, 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 +
Ontario
33.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Alexandria
9.2%
Alexandria +
Ontario
12.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Alexandria
15.0%
Alexandria +
Ontario
17.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Alexandria
8.6%
Alexandria +
Ontario
17.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Alexandria
16.5%
Ontario
15.7%
Ontario +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Alexandria
9.1%
Alexandria +
Ontario
12.0%
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.7% | 33.6% | Alexandria + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 12.0% | Alexandria + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.0% | 17.8% | Alexandria + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.6% | 17.0% | Alexandria + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 15.7% | Ontario + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 12.0% | Alexandria + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Alexandria
N/A
Ontario
65.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Alexandria
N/A
Ontario
15.0 in
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 65.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 15.0 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Alexandria
8.2 µg/m³
Ontario
7.9 µg/m³
Ontario +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Alexandria
75.0%
Ontario
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Ontario + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Alexandria
31.8 min
Ontario
28.2 min
Ontario +
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.8 min | 28.2 min | Ontario + |
Which City is Right for You?
Ontario leads in median household income at $116,945, while ontario offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $671,948. On public safety, Alexandria is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Ontario. Alexandria has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, and Ontario 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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