Alexandria VA vs Stamford CT — 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%
Stamford, CT
Connecticut · Population: 135,806
- Median HH Income$107,474
- Median Home Price$708,498
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+51.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Alexandria
156,788
Alexandria +
Stamford
135,806
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Alexandria
N/A
Stamford
N/A
Median Age
Alexandria
37.5
Alexandria +
Stamford
38.2
Foreign Born
Alexandria
24.6%
Stamford
31.8%
Stamford +
White
Alexandria
53.6%
Alexandria +
Stamford
49.1%
Black
Alexandria
21.1%
Alexandria +
Stamford
19.9%
Asian
Alexandria
6.3%
Stamford
7.1%
Stamford +
Hispanic
Alexandria
18.2%
Stamford
28.1%
Stamford +
Spanish at Home
Alexandria
N/A
Stamford
N/A
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 156,788 | 135,806 | Alexandria + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.5 | 38.2 | Alexandria + |
| Foreign Born | 24.6% | 31.8% | Stamford + |
| White | 53.6% | 49.1% | Alexandria + |
| Black | 21.1% | 19.9% | Alexandria + |
| Asian | 6.3% | 7.1% | Stamford + |
| Hispanic | 18.2% | 28.1% | Stamford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Alexandria
$113,638
Alexandria +
Stamford
$107,474
Per Capita Income
Alexandria
$77,935
Alexandria +
Stamford
$64,382
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Alexandria
$69,581
Stamford
$85,393
Stamford +
Unemployment Rate
Alexandria
3.4%
Alexandria +
Stamford
4.9%
Poverty Rate
Alexandria
8.4%
Alexandria +
Stamford
9.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Alexandria
65.8%
Alexandria +
Stamford
51.7%
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $113,638 | $107,474 | Alexandria + |
| Per Capita Income | $77,935 | $64,382 | Alexandria + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $85,393 | Stamford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.4% | 4.9% | Alexandria + |
| Poverty Rate | 8.4% | 9.5% | Alexandria + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 65.8% | 51.7% | Alexandria + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Alexandria
$679,447
Alexandria +
Stamford
$708,498
Homeownership Rate
Alexandria
42.0%
Stamford
47.5%
Stamford +
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $679,447 | $708,498 | Alexandria + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.0% | 47.5% | Stamford + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Alexandria
240
Stamford
156
Stamford +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Alexandria
1726
Stamford
1524
Stamford +
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 156 | Stamford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 1524 | Stamford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Alexandria
31.7%
Stamford
25.5%
Stamford +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Alexandria
9.2%
Stamford
8.6%
Stamford +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Alexandria
15.0%
Stamford
14.4%
Stamford +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Alexandria
8.6%
Alexandria +
Stamford
12.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Alexandria
16.5%
Stamford
16.4%
Stamford +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Alexandria
9.1%
Stamford
8.7%
Stamford +
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.7% | 25.5% | Stamford + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 8.6% | Stamford + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.0% | 14.4% | Stamford + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.6% | 12.3% | Alexandria + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 16.4% | Stamford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 8.7% | Stamford + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Alexandria
N/A
Stamford
52.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Alexandria
N/A
Stamford
53.2 in
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 52.3°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 53.2 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Alexandria
8.2 µg/m³
Stamford
7.7 µg/m³
Stamford +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Alexandria
75.0%
Stamford
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Stamford + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Alexandria
31.8 min
Stamford
30.1 min
Stamford +
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.8 min | 30.1 min | Stamford + |
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, Stamford is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 per 100,000 residents, compared to 240 in Alexandria. Alexandria has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, and Stamford has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Stamford scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.5%.
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