Alexandria VA vs Rochester NY — 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%
Rochester, NY
New York · Population: 209,720
- Median HH Income$46,628
- Median Home Price$241,627
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+29.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Alexandria
156,788
Rochester
209,720
Rochester +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Alexandria
N/A
Rochester
N/A
Median Age
Alexandria
37.5
Rochester
33.5
Rochester +
Foreign Born
Alexandria
24.6%
Alexandria +
Rochester
8.3%
White
Alexandria
53.6%
Alexandria +
Rochester
41.5%
Black
Alexandria
21.1%
Rochester
37.5%
Rochester +
Asian
Alexandria
6.3%
Alexandria +
Rochester
3.2%
Hispanic
Alexandria
18.2%
Rochester
20.0%
Rochester +
Spanish at Home
Alexandria
N/A
Rochester
N/A
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 156,788 | 209,720 | Rochester + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.5 | 33.5 | Rochester + |
| Foreign Born | 24.6% | 8.3% | Alexandria + |
| White | 53.6% | 41.5% | Alexandria + |
| Black | 21.1% | 37.5% | Rochester + |
| Asian | 6.3% | 3.2% | Alexandria + |
| Hispanic | 18.2% | 20.0% | Rochester + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Alexandria
$113,638
Alexandria +
Rochester
$46,628
Per Capita Income
Alexandria
$77,935
Alexandria +
Rochester
$30,451
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Alexandria
$69,581
Rochester
$77,425
Rochester +
Unemployment Rate
Alexandria
3.4%
Alexandria +
Rochester
7.9%
Poverty Rate
Alexandria
8.4%
Alexandria +
Rochester
26.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Alexandria
65.8%
Alexandria +
Rochester
29.9%
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $113,638 | $46,628 | Alexandria + |
| Per Capita Income | $77,935 | $30,451 | Alexandria + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $77,425 | Rochester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.4% | 7.9% | Alexandria + |
| Poverty Rate | 8.4% | 26.6% | Alexandria + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 65.8% | 29.9% | Alexandria + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Alexandria
$679,447
Rochester
$241,627
Rochester +
Homeownership Rate
Alexandria
42.0%
Alexandria +
Rochester
37.2%
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $679,447 | $241,627 | Rochester + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.0% | 37.2% | Alexandria + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Alexandria
240
Alexandria +
Rochester
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Alexandria
1726
Alexandria +
Rochester
1736
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 434 | Alexandria + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 1736 | Alexandria + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Alexandria
31.7%
Alexandria +
Rochester
38.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Alexandria
9.2%
Alexandria +
Rochester
14.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Alexandria
15.0%
Alexandria +
Rochester
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Alexandria
8.6%
Alexandria +
Rochester
10.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Alexandria
16.5%
Rochester
16.3%
Rochester +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Alexandria
9.1%
Alexandria +
Rochester
16.6%
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.7% | 38.0% | Alexandria + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 14.3% | Alexandria + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.0% | 18.8% | Alexandria + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.6% | 10.9% | Alexandria + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 16.3% | Rochester + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 16.6% | Alexandria + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Alexandria
N/A
Rochester
48.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Alexandria
N/A
Rochester
34.3 in
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 48.2°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 34.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Alexandria
8.2 µg/m³
Rochester
8.1 µg/m³
Rochester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Alexandria
75.0%
Rochester
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Rochester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Alexandria
31.8 min
Rochester
20.6 min
Rochester +
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.8 min | 20.6 min | Rochester + |
Which City is Right for You?
Alexandria leads in median household income at $113,638, while rochester offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $241,627. On public safety, Alexandria is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Rochester. Alexandria has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, and Rochester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Alexandria scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.7%.
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