Alexandria VA vs Surprise AZ — 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%
Surprise, AZ
Arizona · Population: 149,519
- Median HH Income$93,371
- Median Home Price$422,520
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+31.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Alexandria
156,788
Alexandria +
Surprise
149,519
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Alexandria
N/A
Surprise
N/A
Median Age
Alexandria
37.5
Alexandria +
Surprise
41.6
Foreign Born
Alexandria
24.6%
Alexandria +
Surprise
6.8%
White
Alexandria
53.6%
Surprise
75.0%
Surprise +
Black
Alexandria
21.1%
Alexandria +
Surprise
4.8%
Asian
Alexandria
6.3%
Alexandria +
Surprise
2.6%
Hispanic
Alexandria
18.2%
Surprise
19.2%
Surprise +
Spanish at Home
Alexandria
N/A
Surprise
N/A
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 156,788 | 149,519 | Alexandria + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.5 | 41.6 | Alexandria + |
| Foreign Born | 24.6% | 6.8% | Alexandria + |
| White | 53.6% | 75.0% | Surprise + |
| Black | 21.1% | 4.8% | Alexandria + |
| Asian | 6.3% | 2.6% | Alexandria + |
| Hispanic | 18.2% | 19.2% | Surprise + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Alexandria
$113,638
Alexandria +
Surprise
$93,371
Per Capita Income
Alexandria
$77,935
Alexandria +
Surprise
$39,604
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Alexandria
$69,581
Alexandria +
Surprise
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Alexandria
3.4%
Alexandria +
Surprise
4.2%
Poverty Rate
Alexandria
8.4%
Surprise
7.8%
Surprise +
Bachelor's Degree+
Alexandria
65.8%
Alexandria +
Surprise
31.0%
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $113,638 | $93,371 | Alexandria + |
| Per Capita Income | $77,935 | $39,604 | Alexandria + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $59,120 | Alexandria + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.4% | 4.2% | Alexandria + |
| Poverty Rate | 8.4% | 7.8% | Surprise + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 65.8% | 31.0% | Alexandria + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Alexandria
$679,447
Surprise
$422,520
Surprise +
Homeownership Rate
Alexandria
42.0%
Surprise
79.0%
Surprise +
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $679,447 | $422,520 | Surprise + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.0% | 79.0% | Surprise + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Alexandria
240
Alexandria +
Surprise
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Alexandria
1726
Alexandria +
Surprise
2150
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 450 | Alexandria + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 2150 | Alexandria + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Alexandria
31.7%
Surprise
29.4%
Surprise +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Alexandria
9.2%
Alexandria +
Surprise
11.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Alexandria
15.0%
Surprise
14.2%
Surprise +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Alexandria
8.6%
Alexandria +
Surprise
10.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Alexandria
16.5%
Surprise
14.9%
Surprise +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Alexandria
9.1%
Alexandria +
Surprise
10.4%
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.7% | 29.4% | Surprise + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 11.2% | Alexandria + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.0% | 14.2% | Surprise + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.6% | 10.5% | Alexandria + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 14.9% | Surprise + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 10.4% | Alexandria + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Alexandria
N/A
Surprise
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Alexandria
N/A
Surprise
N/A
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Surprise, AZ | 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
Surprise
7.1 µg/m³
Surprise +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Alexandria
75.0%
Surprise
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Surprise + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Alexandria
31.8 min
Alexandria +
Surprise
32.8 min
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.8 min | 32.8 min | Alexandria + |
Which City is Right for You?
Alexandria leads in median household income at $113,638, while surprise offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $422,520. On public safety, Alexandria is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 450 in Surprise. Alexandria has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, and Surprise has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Surprise scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.4%.
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