Alexandria VA vs Sunnyvale 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%
Sunnyvale, CA
California · Population: 153,455
- Median HH Income$181,862
- Median Home Price$2,144,024
- Unemployment4.1%
- Bachelor's+69.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Alexandria
156,788
Alexandria +
Sunnyvale
153,455
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Alexandria
N/A
Sunnyvale
N/A
Median Age
Alexandria
37.5
Sunnyvale
35.1
Sunnyvale +
Foreign Born
Alexandria
24.6%
Sunnyvale
49.4%
Sunnyvale +
White
Alexandria
53.6%
Alexandria +
Sunnyvale
30.4%
Black
Alexandria
21.1%
Alexandria +
Sunnyvale
1.5%
Asian
Alexandria
6.3%
Sunnyvale
49.4%
Sunnyvale +
Hispanic
Alexandria
18.2%
Alexandria +
Sunnyvale
16.7%
Spanish at Home
Alexandria
N/A
Sunnyvale
N/A
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 156,788 | 153,455 | Alexandria + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.5 | 35.1 | Sunnyvale + |
| Foreign Born | 24.6% | 49.4% | Sunnyvale + |
| White | 53.6% | 30.4% | Alexandria + |
| Black | 21.1% | 1.5% | Alexandria + |
| Asian | 6.3% | 49.4% | Sunnyvale + |
| Hispanic | 18.2% | 16.7% | Alexandria + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Alexandria
$113,638
Sunnyvale
$181,862
Sunnyvale +
Per Capita Income
Alexandria
$77,935
Sunnyvale
$95,752
Sunnyvale +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Alexandria
$69,581
Sunnyvale
$77,230
Sunnyvale +
Unemployment Rate
Alexandria
3.4%
Alexandria +
Sunnyvale
4.1%
Poverty Rate
Alexandria
8.4%
Sunnyvale
5.6%
Sunnyvale +
Bachelor's Degree+
Alexandria
65.8%
Sunnyvale
69.2%
Sunnyvale +
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $113,638 | $181,862 | Sunnyvale + |
| Per Capita Income | $77,935 | $95,752 | Sunnyvale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $77,230 | Sunnyvale + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.4% | 4.1% | Alexandria + |
| Poverty Rate | 8.4% | 5.6% | Sunnyvale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 65.8% | 69.2% | Sunnyvale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Alexandria
$679,447
Alexandria +
Sunnyvale
$2,144,024
Homeownership Rate
Alexandria
42.0%
Sunnyvale
43.8%
Sunnyvale +
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $679,447 | $2,144,024 | Alexandria + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.0% | 43.8% | Sunnyvale + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Alexandria
240
Alexandria +
Sunnyvale
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Alexandria
1726
Alexandria +
Sunnyvale
2388
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Sunnyvale, 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%
Sunnyvale
19.7%
Sunnyvale +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Alexandria
9.2%
Sunnyvale
8.3%
Sunnyvale +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Alexandria
15.0%
Sunnyvale
12.9%
Sunnyvale +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Alexandria
8.6%
Sunnyvale
5.2%
Sunnyvale +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Alexandria
16.5%
Sunnyvale
13.5%
Sunnyvale +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Alexandria
9.1%
Sunnyvale
6.7%
Sunnyvale +
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.7% | 19.7% | Sunnyvale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 8.3% | Sunnyvale + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.0% | 12.9% | Sunnyvale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.6% | 5.2% | Sunnyvale + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 13.5% | Sunnyvale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 6.7% | Sunnyvale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Alexandria
N/A
Sunnyvale
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Alexandria
N/A
Sunnyvale
N/A
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Alexandria
8.2 µg/m³
Sunnyvale
7.9 µg/m³
Sunnyvale +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Alexandria
75.0%
Sunnyvale
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Sunnyvale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Alexandria
31.8 min
Sunnyvale
25.3 min
Sunnyvale +
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.8 min | 25.3 min | Sunnyvale + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sunnyvale leads in median household income at $181,862, 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 Sunnyvale. Alexandria has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, and Sunnyvale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sunnyvale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 19.7%.
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