Alexandria VA vs Orem UT — 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%
Orem, UT
Utah · Population: 86,973
- Median HH Income$70,053
- Median Home Price$509,396
- Unemployment4.0%
- Bachelor's+25.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Alexandria
156,788
Alexandria +
Orem
86,973
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Alexandria
N/A
Orem
N/A
Median Age
Alexandria
37.5
Orem
33.3
Orem +
Foreign Born
Alexandria
24.6%
Alexandria +
Orem
10.5%
White
Alexandria
53.6%
Orem
77.1%
Orem +
Black
Alexandria
21.1%
Alexandria +
Orem
1.9%
Asian
Alexandria
6.3%
Alexandria +
Orem
1.6%
Hispanic
Alexandria
18.2%
Orem
30.6%
Orem +
Spanish at Home
Alexandria
N/A
Orem
N/A
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 156,788 | 86,973 | Alexandria + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.5 | 33.3 | Orem + |
| Foreign Born | 24.6% | 10.5% | Alexandria + |
| White | 53.6% | 77.1% | Orem + |
| Black | 21.1% | 1.9% | Alexandria + |
| Asian | 6.3% | 1.6% | Alexandria + |
| Hispanic | 18.2% | 30.6% | Orem + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Alexandria
$113,638
Alexandria +
Orem
$70,053
Per Capita Income
Alexandria
$77,935
Alexandria +
Orem
$33,579
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Alexandria
$69,581
Alexandria +
Orem
$60,713
Unemployment Rate
Alexandria
3.4%
Alexandria +
Orem
4.0%
Poverty Rate
Alexandria
8.4%
Alexandria +
Orem
12.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Alexandria
65.8%
Alexandria +
Orem
25.6%
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $113,638 | $70,053 | Alexandria + |
| Per Capita Income | $77,935 | $33,579 | Alexandria + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $60,713 | Alexandria + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.4% | 4.0% | Alexandria + |
| Poverty Rate | 8.4% | 12.7% | Alexandria + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 65.8% | 25.6% | Alexandria + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Alexandria
$679,447
Orem
$509,396
Orem +
Homeownership Rate
Alexandria
42.0%
Orem
60.9%
Orem +
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $679,447 | $509,396 | Orem + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.0% | 60.9% | Orem + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Alexandria
240
Alexandria +
Orem
245
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Alexandria
1726
Alexandria +
Orem
1931
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 245 | Alexandria + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 1931 | Alexandria + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Alexandria
31.7%
Orem
30.3%
Orem +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Alexandria
9.2%
Orem
7.7%
Orem +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Alexandria
15.0%
Alexandria +
Orem
17.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Alexandria
8.6%
Alexandria +
Orem
11.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Alexandria
16.5%
Orem
8.6%
Orem +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Alexandria
9.1%
Orem
6.5%
Orem +
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.7% | 30.3% | Orem + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 7.7% | Orem + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.0% | 17.1% | Alexandria + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.6% | 11.5% | Alexandria + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 8.6% | Orem + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 6.5% | Orem + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Alexandria
N/A
Orem
52.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Alexandria
N/A
Orem
13.3 in
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 52.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 13.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Alexandria
8.2 µg/m³
Orem
7.0 µg/m³
Orem +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Alexandria
75.0%
Orem
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | Orem + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Alexandria
31.8 min
Orem
24.5 min
Orem +
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.8 min | 24.5 min | Orem + |
Which City is Right for You?
Alexandria leads in median household income at $113,638, while orem offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $509,396. On public safety, Alexandria is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 245 in Orem. Alexandria has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, and Orem has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Orem scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.3%.
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