Alexandria VA vs Santa Ana 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%
Santa Ana, CA
California · Population: 91,535
- Median HH Income$109,739
- Median Home Price$865,610
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+68.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Alexandria
156,788
Alexandria +
Santa Ana
91,535
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Alexandria
N/A
Santa Ana
N/A
Median Age
Alexandria
37.5
Alexandria +
Santa Ana
42.9
Foreign Born
Alexandria
24.6%
Alexandria +
Santa Ana
23.2%
White
Alexandria
53.6%
Santa Ana
66.9%
Santa Ana +
Black
Alexandria
21.1%
Alexandria +
Santa Ana
4.9%
Asian
Alexandria
6.3%
Santa Ana
9.8%
Santa Ana +
Hispanic
Alexandria
18.2%
Alexandria +
Santa Ana
16.4%
Spanish at Home
Alexandria
N/A
Santa Ana
N/A
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 156,788 | 91,535 | Alexandria + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.5 | 42.9 | Alexandria + |
| Foreign Born | 24.6% | 23.2% | Alexandria + |
| White | 53.6% | 66.9% | Santa Ana + |
| Black | 21.1% | 4.9% | Alexandria + |
| Asian | 6.3% | 9.8% | Santa Ana + |
| Hispanic | 18.2% | 16.4% | Alexandria + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Alexandria
$113,638
Alexandria +
Santa Ana
$109,739
Per Capita Income
Alexandria
$77,935
Santa Ana
$90,657
Santa Ana +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Alexandria
$69,581
Santa Ana
$77,230
Santa Ana +
Unemployment Rate
Alexandria
3.4%
Alexandria +
Santa Ana
6.1%
Poverty Rate
Alexandria
8.4%
Alexandria +
Santa Ana
11.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Alexandria
65.8%
Santa Ana
68.9%
Santa Ana +
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $113,638 | $109,739 | Alexandria + |
| Per Capita Income | $77,935 | $90,657 | Santa Ana + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $77,230 | Santa Ana + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.4% | 6.1% | Alexandria + |
| Poverty Rate | 8.4% | 11.6% | Alexandria + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 65.8% | 68.9% | Santa Ana + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Alexandria
$679,447
Alexandria +
Santa Ana
$865,610
Homeownership Rate
Alexandria
42.0%
Alexandria +
Santa Ana
28.8%
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $679,447 | $865,610 | Alexandria + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.0% | 28.8% | Alexandria + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Alexandria
240
Alexandria +
Santa Ana
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Alexandria
1726
Alexandria +
Santa Ana
2388
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Santa Ana, 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%
Santa Ana
29.0%
Santa Ana +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Alexandria
9.2%
Alexandria +
Santa Ana
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Alexandria
15.0%
Alexandria +
Santa Ana
18.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Alexandria
8.6%
Alexandria +
Santa Ana
20.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Alexandria
16.5%
Santa Ana
15.7%
Santa Ana +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Alexandria
9.1%
Alexandria +
Santa Ana
11.6%
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.7% | 29.0% | Santa Ana + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 13.0% | Alexandria + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.0% | 18.7% | Alexandria + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.6% | 20.7% | Alexandria + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 15.7% | Santa Ana + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 11.6% | Alexandria + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Alexandria
N/A
Santa Ana
65.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Alexandria
N/A
Santa Ana
13.6 in
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 65.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 13.6 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Alexandria
8.2 µg/m³
Santa Ana
7.9 µg/m³
Santa Ana +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Alexandria
75.0%
Santa Ana
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Santa Ana + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Alexandria
31.8 min
Santa Ana
28.0 min
Santa Ana +
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.8 min | 28.0 min | Santa Ana + |
Which City is Right for You?
Alexandria leads in median household income at $113,638, while alexandria offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $679,447. On public safety, Alexandria is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Santa Ana. Alexandria has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, and Santa Ana has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Santa Ana scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.0%.
Compare More Cities
Alexandria, VA vs New York, NYAlexandria, VA vs Los Angeles, CAAlexandria, VA vs Chicago, ILAlexandria, VA vs Houston, TXAlexandria, VA vs Phoenix, AZAlexandria, VA vs Philadelphia, PA