Alexandria VA vs Sacramento 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%
Sacramento, CA
California · Population: 524,802
- Median HH Income$83,753
- Median Home Price$480,548
- Unemployment6.2%
- Bachelor's+36.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Alexandria
156,788
Sacramento
524,802
Sacramento +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Alexandria
N/A
Sacramento
N/A
Median Age
Alexandria
37.5
Sacramento
35.7
Sacramento +
Foreign Born
Alexandria
24.6%
Alexandria +
Sacramento
21.3%
White
Alexandria
53.6%
Alexandria +
Sacramento
36.8%
Black
Alexandria
21.1%
Alexandria +
Sacramento
12.4%
Asian
Alexandria
6.3%
Sacramento
19.7%
Sacramento +
Hispanic
Alexandria
18.2%
Sacramento
29.5%
Sacramento +
Spanish at Home
Alexandria
N/A
Sacramento
N/A
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 156,788 | 524,802 | Sacramento + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.5 | 35.7 | Sacramento + |
| Foreign Born | 24.6% | 21.3% | Alexandria + |
| White | 53.6% | 36.8% | Alexandria + |
| Black | 21.1% | 12.4% | Alexandria + |
| Asian | 6.3% | 19.7% | Sacramento + |
| Hispanic | 18.2% | 29.5% | Sacramento + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Alexandria
$113,638
Alexandria +
Sacramento
$83,753
Per Capita Income
Alexandria
$77,935
Alexandria +
Sacramento
$42,300
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Alexandria
$69,581
Sacramento
$77,230
Sacramento +
Unemployment Rate
Alexandria
3.4%
Alexandria +
Sacramento
6.2%
Poverty Rate
Alexandria
8.4%
Alexandria +
Sacramento
14.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Alexandria
65.8%
Alexandria +
Sacramento
36.4%
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $113,638 | $83,753 | Alexandria + |
| Per Capita Income | $77,935 | $42,300 | Alexandria + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $77,230 | Sacramento + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.4% | 6.2% | Alexandria + |
| Poverty Rate | 8.4% | 14.4% | Alexandria + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 65.8% | 36.4% | Alexandria + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Alexandria
$679,447
Sacramento
$480,548
Sacramento +
Homeownership Rate
Alexandria
42.0%
Sacramento
51.5%
Sacramento +
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $679,447 | $480,548 | Sacramento + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.0% | 51.5% | Sacramento + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Alexandria
240
Alexandria +
Sacramento
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Alexandria
1726
Alexandria +
Sacramento
2388
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Sacramento, 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%
Sacramento
30.0%
Sacramento +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Alexandria
9.2%
Alexandria +
Sacramento
11.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Alexandria
15.0%
Alexandria +
Sacramento
17.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Alexandria
8.6%
Alexandria +
Sacramento
10.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Alexandria
16.5%
Sacramento
14.3%
Sacramento +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Alexandria
9.1%
Alexandria +
Sacramento
11.9%
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.7% | 30.0% | Sacramento + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 11.2% | Alexandria + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.0% | 17.9% | Alexandria + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.6% | 10.0% | Alexandria + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 14.3% | Sacramento + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 11.9% | Alexandria + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Alexandria
N/A
Sacramento
61.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Alexandria
N/A
Sacramento
18.5 in
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 61.0°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 18.5 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Alexandria
8.2 µg/m³
Sacramento
7.9 µg/m³
Sacramento +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Alexandria
75.0%
Sacramento
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Sacramento + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Alexandria
31.8 min
Sacramento
27.0 min
Sacramento +
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.8 min | 27.0 min | Sacramento + |
Which City is Right for You?
Alexandria leads in median household income at $113,638, while sacramento offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $480,548. On public safety, Alexandria is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Sacramento. Alexandria has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, and Sacramento has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sacramento scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.0%.
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