Alexandria VA vs Seattle WA — 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%
Seattle, WA
Washington · Population: 741,440
- Median HH Income$121,984
- Median Home Price$871,599
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+67.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Alexandria
156,788
Seattle
741,440
Seattle +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Alexandria
N/A
Seattle
N/A
Median Age
Alexandria
37.5
Seattle
35.5
Seattle +
Foreign Born
Alexandria
24.6%
Alexandria +
Seattle
19.9%
White
Alexandria
53.6%
Seattle
61.8%
Seattle +
Black
Alexandria
21.1%
Alexandria +
Seattle
6.6%
Asian
Alexandria
6.3%
Seattle
17.2%
Seattle +
Hispanic
Alexandria
18.2%
Alexandria +
Seattle
8.2%
Spanish at Home
Alexandria
N/A
Seattle
N/A
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 156,788 | 741,440 | Seattle + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.5 | 35.5 | Seattle + |
| Foreign Born | 24.6% | 19.9% | Alexandria + |
| White | 53.6% | 61.8% | Seattle + |
| Black | 21.1% | 6.6% | Alexandria + |
| Asian | 6.3% | 17.2% | Seattle + |
| Hispanic | 18.2% | 8.2% | Alexandria + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Alexandria
$113,638
Seattle
$121,984
Seattle +
Per Capita Income
Alexandria
$77,935
Seattle
$82,508
Seattle +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Alexandria
$69,581
Seattle
$76,120
Seattle +
Unemployment Rate
Alexandria
3.4%
Alexandria +
Seattle
4.2%
Poverty Rate
Alexandria
8.4%
Alexandria +
Seattle
9.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Alexandria
65.8%
Seattle
67.5%
Seattle +
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $113,638 | $121,984 | Seattle + |
| Per Capita Income | $77,935 | $82,508 | Seattle + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $76,120 | Seattle + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.4% | 4.2% | Alexandria + |
| Poverty Rate | 8.4% | 9.9% | Alexandria + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 65.8% | 67.5% | Seattle + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Alexandria
$679,447
Alexandria +
Seattle
$871,599
Homeownership Rate
Alexandria
42.0%
Seattle
44.3%
Seattle +
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $679,447 | $871,599 | Alexandria + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.0% | 44.3% | Seattle + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Alexandria
240
Alexandria +
Seattle
383
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Alexandria
1726
Alexandria +
Seattle
3409
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 383 | Alexandria + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 3409 | Alexandria + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Alexandria
31.7%
Seattle
22.2%
Seattle +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Alexandria
9.2%
Seattle
6.1%
Seattle +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Alexandria
15.0%
Alexandria +
Seattle
15.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Alexandria
8.6%
Seattle
6.1%
Seattle +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Alexandria
16.5%
Alexandria +
Seattle
19.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Alexandria
9.1%
Seattle
6.5%
Seattle +
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.7% | 22.2% | Seattle + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 6.1% | Seattle + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.0% | 15.3% | Alexandria + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.6% | 6.1% | Seattle + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 19.0% | Alexandria + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 6.5% | Seattle + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Alexandria
N/A
Seattle
52.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Alexandria
N/A
Seattle
37.5 in
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 52.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 37.5 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Alexandria
8.2 µg/m³
Seattle
7.5 µg/m³
Seattle +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Alexandria
75.0%
Seattle
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Seattle + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Alexandria
31.8 min
Seattle
28.8 min
Seattle +
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.8 min | 28.8 min | Seattle + |
Which City is Right for You?
Seattle leads in median household income at $121,984, 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 383 in Seattle. Alexandria has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, and Seattle has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Seattle scores better with a lower obesity rate of 22.2%.
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