Alexandria VA vs Phoenix AZ — 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%
Phoenix, AZ
Arizona · Population: 1,624,832
- Median HH Income$77,041
- Median Home Price$411,323
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+32.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Alexandria
156,788
Phoenix
1,624,832
Phoenix +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Alexandria
N/A
Phoenix
N/A
Median Age
Alexandria
37.5
Phoenix
34.8
Phoenix +
Foreign Born
Alexandria
24.6%
Alexandria +
Phoenix
19.0%
White
Alexandria
53.6%
Phoenix
53.7%
Phoenix +
Black
Alexandria
21.1%
Alexandria +
Phoenix
7.8%
Asian
Alexandria
6.3%
Alexandria +
Phoenix
3.9%
Hispanic
Alexandria
18.2%
Phoenix
41.8%
Phoenix +
Spanish at Home
Alexandria
N/A
Phoenix
N/A
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 156,788 | 1,624,832 | Phoenix + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.5 | 34.8 | Phoenix + |
| Foreign Born | 24.6% | 19.0% | Alexandria + |
| White | 53.6% | 53.7% | Phoenix + |
| Black | 21.1% | 7.8% | Alexandria + |
| Asian | 6.3% | 3.9% | Alexandria + |
| Hispanic | 18.2% | 41.8% | Phoenix + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Alexandria
$113,638
Alexandria +
Phoenix
$77,041
Per Capita Income
Alexandria
$77,935
Alexandria +
Phoenix
$40,309
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Alexandria
$69,581
Alexandria +
Phoenix
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Alexandria
3.4%
Alexandria +
Phoenix
5.1%
Poverty Rate
Alexandria
8.4%
Alexandria +
Phoenix
14.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Alexandria
65.8%
Alexandria +
Phoenix
32.3%
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $113,638 | $77,041 | Alexandria + |
| Per Capita Income | $77,935 | $40,309 | Alexandria + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $59,120 | Alexandria + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.4% | 5.1% | Alexandria + |
| Poverty Rate | 8.4% | 14.3% | Alexandria + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 65.8% | 32.3% | Alexandria + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Alexandria
$679,447
Phoenix
$411,323
Phoenix +
Homeownership Rate
Alexandria
42.0%
Phoenix
57.1%
Phoenix +
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $679,447 | $411,323 | Phoenix + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.0% | 57.1% | Phoenix + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Alexandria
240
Alexandria +
Phoenix
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Alexandria
1726
Alexandria +
Phoenix
2150
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 450 | Alexandria + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 2150 | Alexandria + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Alexandria
31.7%
Alexandria +
Phoenix
32.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Alexandria
9.2%
Alexandria +
Phoenix
10.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Alexandria
15.0%
Alexandria +
Phoenix
16.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Alexandria
8.6%
Alexandria +
Phoenix
17.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Alexandria
16.5%
Phoenix
16.3%
Phoenix +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Alexandria
9.1%
Alexandria +
Phoenix
12.2%
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.7% | 32.3% | Alexandria + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 10.8% | Alexandria + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.0% | 16.2% | Alexandria + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.6% | 17.3% | Alexandria + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 16.3% | Phoenix + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 12.2% | Alexandria + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Alexandria
N/A
Phoenix
72.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Alexandria
N/A
Phoenix
10.8 in
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 72.1°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 10.8 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Alexandria
8.2 µg/m³
Phoenix
7.1 µg/m³
Phoenix +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Alexandria
75.0%
Phoenix
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Phoenix + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Alexandria
31.8 min
Phoenix
27.7 min
Phoenix +
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.8 min | 27.7 min | Phoenix + |
Which City is Right for You?
Alexandria leads in median household income at $113,638, while phoenix offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $411,323. On public safety, Alexandria is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 450 in Phoenix. Alexandria has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, and Phoenix has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Alexandria scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.7%.
Compare More Cities
Alexandria, VA vs New York, NYAlexandria, VA vs Los Angeles, CAAlexandria, VA vs Chicago, ILAlexandria, VA vs Houston, TXAlexandria, VA vs Philadelphia, PAAlexandria, VA vs San Antonio, TX