Alexandria VA vs Paterson 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%
Paterson, NJ
New Jersey · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$527,542
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Alexandria
156,788
Paterson
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Alexandria
N/A
Paterson
N/A
Median Age
Alexandria
37.5
Paterson
N/A
Foreign Born
Alexandria
24.6%
Paterson
N/A
White
Alexandria
53.6%
Paterson
N/A
Black
Alexandria
21.1%
Paterson
N/A
Asian
Alexandria
6.3%
Paterson
N/A
Hispanic
Alexandria
18.2%
Paterson
N/A
Spanish at Home
Alexandria
N/A
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 156,788 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.5 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 24.6% | N/A | - |
| White | 53.6% | N/A | - |
| Black | 21.1% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 6.3% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 18.2% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Alexandria
$113,638
Paterson
N/A
Per Capita Income
Alexandria
$77,935
Paterson
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Alexandria
$69,581
Paterson
$77,416
Paterson +
Unemployment Rate
Alexandria
3.4%
Paterson
N/A
Poverty Rate
Alexandria
8.4%
Paterson
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Alexandria
65.8%
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $113,638 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $77,935 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $77,416 | Paterson + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.4% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 8.4% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 65.8% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Alexandria
$679,447
Paterson
$527,542
Paterson +
Homeownership Rate
Alexandria
42.0%
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $679,447 | $527,542 | Paterson + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.0% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Alexandria
240
Paterson
218
Paterson +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Alexandria
1726
Paterson
1426
Paterson +
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 218 | Paterson + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 1426 | Paterson + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Alexandria
31.7%
Alexandria +
Paterson
37.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Alexandria
9.2%
Alexandria +
Paterson
16.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Alexandria
15.0%
Alexandria +
Paterson
18.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Alexandria
8.6%
Alexandria +
Paterson
28.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Alexandria
16.5%
Paterson
14.3%
Paterson +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Alexandria
9.1%
Alexandria +
Paterson
16.4%
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.7% | 37.5% | Alexandria + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 16.1% | Alexandria + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.0% | 18.6% | Alexandria + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.6% | 28.6% | Alexandria + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 14.3% | Paterson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 16.4% | Alexandria + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Alexandria
N/A
Paterson
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Alexandria
N/A
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Alexandria
8.2 µg/m³
Alexandria +
Paterson
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Alexandria
75.0%
Paterson
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Paterson, 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
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.8 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Paterson offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $527,542. On public safety, Paterson is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 240 in Alexandria. 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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