Alexandria VA vs Virginia Beach VA — 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%
Virginia Beach, VA
Virginia · Population: 457,066
- Median HH Income$90,685
- Median Home Price$427,121
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+40.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Alexandria
156,788
Virginia Beach
457,066
Virginia Beach +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Alexandria
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
Median Age
Alexandria
37.5
Virginia Beach
37.4
Virginia Beach +
Foreign Born
Alexandria
24.6%
Alexandria +
Virginia Beach
9.1%
White
Alexandria
53.6%
Virginia Beach
61.6%
Virginia Beach +
Black
Alexandria
21.1%
Alexandria +
Virginia Beach
18.9%
Asian
Alexandria
6.3%
Virginia Beach
7.2%
Virginia Beach +
Hispanic
Alexandria
18.2%
Alexandria +
Virginia Beach
8.9%
Spanish at Home
Alexandria
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 156,788 | 457,066 | Virginia Beach + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.5 | 37.4 | Virginia Beach + |
| Foreign Born | 24.6% | 9.1% | Alexandria + |
| White | 53.6% | 61.6% | Virginia Beach + |
| Black | 21.1% | 18.9% | Alexandria + |
| Asian | 6.3% | 7.2% | Virginia Beach + |
| Hispanic | 18.2% | 8.9% | Alexandria + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Alexandria
$113,638
Alexandria +
Virginia Beach
$90,685
Per Capita Income
Alexandria
$77,935
Alexandria +
Virginia Beach
$47,372
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Alexandria
$69,581
Virginia Beach
$69,581
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Alexandria
3.4%
Alexandria +
Virginia Beach
4.3%
Poverty Rate
Alexandria
8.4%
Virginia Beach
8.4%
Virginia Beach +
Bachelor's Degree+
Alexandria
65.8%
Alexandria +
Virginia Beach
40.4%
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $113,638 | $90,685 | Alexandria + |
| Per Capita Income | $77,935 | $47,372 | Alexandria + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $69,581 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.4% | 4.3% | Alexandria + |
| Poverty Rate | 8.4% | 8.4% | Virginia Beach + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 65.8% | 40.4% | Alexandria + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Alexandria
$679,447
Virginia Beach
$427,121
Virginia Beach +
Homeownership Rate
Alexandria
42.0%
Virginia Beach
64.9%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $679,447 | $427,121 | Virginia Beach + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.0% | 64.9% | Virginia Beach + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Alexandria
240
Virginia Beach
240
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Alexandria
1726
Virginia Beach
1726
Tie
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 240 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 1726 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Alexandria
31.7%
Alexandria +
Virginia Beach
36.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Alexandria
9.2%
Alexandria +
Virginia Beach
11.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Alexandria
15.0%
Alexandria +
Virginia Beach
16.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Alexandria
8.6%
Virginia Beach
8.3%
Virginia Beach +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Alexandria
16.5%
Virginia Beach
15.6%
Virginia Beach +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Alexandria
9.1%
Alexandria +
Virginia Beach
12.1%
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.7% | 36.5% | Alexandria + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 11.8% | Alexandria + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.0% | 16.7% | Alexandria + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.6% | 8.3% | Virginia Beach + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 15.6% | Virginia Beach + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 12.1% | Alexandria + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Alexandria
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Alexandria
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Virginia Beach, VA | 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
Virginia Beach
8.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Alexandria
75.0%
Virginia Beach
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Alexandria
31.8 min
Virginia Beach
25.0 min
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.8 min | 25.0 min | Virginia Beach + |
Which City is Right for You?
Alexandria leads in median household income at $113,638, while virginia Beach offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $427,121. On public safety, Virginia Beach is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 240 in Alexandria. Alexandria has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, and Virginia Beach has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Alexandria scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.7%.
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