Alexandria, Virginia
Cost of living, housing, income, commute, climate, and safety — compiled for relocators researching Alexandria.
MapsToIt planning snapshot
How much does it cost to live in Alexandria?
Alexandria, VA has a MapsToIt housing cost index of 190 (well above the U.S. housing-cost baseline; 100 = U.S. avg). Median home value is about $696,800 and median rent about $2,031, against national ACS medians of $303,400 and $1,348. Median household income is roughly $113,638. Typical commute is 34 minutes; summer highs average 88°F. Violent-offense rates run about 177.5 per 100k (catalog avg 586.6).
Crime figures may use an older source vintage than housing and income on this page.
- Housing cost index
- 190U.S. avg 100
- Median home value
- $696,800U.S. $303,400
- Median rent
- $2,031U.S. $1,348
- Median income
- $113,638U.S. $78,538
- Unemployment
- 3.2%U.S. 4.2%
- Avg commute
- 34 minCatalog avg 25 min
- Violent crime
- 177.5per 100k · avg 586.6
- Summer high
- 88°FCatalog avg 87°F
Key figures
Each metric shows how Alexandria compares with the U.S. baseline (ACS/BLS nationals where available; catalog-city averages for crime, climate, and commute). Income, housing, population, and crime are for the incorporated city (city limits), not the broader metro/MSA — unemployment is county-level (BLS LAUS).
- Population
- 159,102City limits · Census PEP 2024 estimate
As of 2026-09-10 · Census PEP 2024 - Median household income
- $113,638Incorporated place (ACS)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year45% above U.S. avgU.S. $78,538 - Housing cost index
- 190ACS home+rent vs U.S. (100 = avg)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year90% above U.S. avgU.S. 100 - Median home value
- $696,800City limits (ACS)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year130% above U.S. avgU.S. $303,400 - Median rent
- $2,031City limits (ACS)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year51% above U.S. avgU.S. $1,348 - Unemployment
- 3.2%County LAUS · not city-only
As of 2026-09-10 · July 2026Near U.S. avg (4.2 pts)U.S. 4.2 pts - Avg commute
- 34 min36% above U.S. avgU.S. 25 min
- Walk Score
- 6442% above U.S. avgU.S. 45
- Violent crime rate
- 177.5annualized per 100k · citywide
As of 2026-09-10 · 2019 offenses (FBI Table 8 fallback)70% below U.S. avgU.S. 586.6 - Property crime rate
- 1551.2annualized per 100k · citywide
As of 2026-09-10 · 2019 offenses (FBI Table 8 fallback)50% below U.S. avgU.S. 3087.9 - Summer high
- 88°FAs of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normalsNear U.S. avg (87°F)U.S. 87°F
- Winter low
- 32°FAs of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals2.0°F below U.S. avgU.S. 34°F
- Annual rainfall
- 41.8 inAs of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals27% above U.S. avgU.S. 33 in
- Sunny days
- 247As of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals8% below U.S. avgU.S. 268
Population trend
Alexandria grew 13.1% from 140,729 in 2010 to 159,102 in 2024.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau PEP city/town estimates (2010–2024). Playback steps monthly between annual Census PEP estimates.
Is Alexandria expensive compared to the U.S. average?
Alexandria's housing cost index is 190 versus 100 nationally — well above the U.S. housing-cost baseline. That gap is driven mainly by ACS median home values ($696,800 vs $303,400) and rents ($2,031 vs $1,348).
- Housing cost index 190 (U.S. 100)
- Median home $696,800 vs U.S. $303,400
- Median rent $2,031 vs U.S. $1,348
How much does housing cost in Alexandria?
Typical ownership costs center near $696,800, while median gross rent is about $2,031 a month. Against a median household income of $113,638, rent alone is roughly 21% of income on an annualized basis.
- Median home value $696,800
- Median rent $2,031/month
- Median household income $113,638
What is the job market like in Alexandria?
County unemployment recently ran 3.2% versus a U.S. rate of 4.2%. Median household income in Alexandria is about $113,638 (U.S. $78,538).
- Unemployment 3.2% (U.S. 4.2%)
- Median income $113,638
How long is the typical commute in Alexandria?
Average one-way commute time is about 34 minutes, with Walk Score near 64/100. The catalog-city average commute is 25 minutes.
- 34 minutes average one-way
- Walk Score 64/100
Is Alexandria safer than similar U.S. cities?
Published violent-offense rates are about 177.5 per 100k and property about 1551.2 per 100k, versus catalog averages of 586.6 and 3087.9. Citywide rates hide large neighborhood differences.
- Violent 177.5 per 100k
- Property 1551.2 per 100k
What is the climate like year-round in Alexandria?
Normals show summer highs near 88°F, winter lows near 32°F, about 41.8 inches of rain, and roughly 247 sunny days a year.
- Summer high 88°F
- Winter low 32°F
- 41.8 in rain · 247 sunny days
Alexandria, Virginia counts about 159,102 residents inside the city limits. Median household income is roughly $113,638, while the ACS housing-cost index sits near 190 — well above the national housing-cost baseline (100 ≈ U.S. average). A typical home near $696,800 and rents around $2,031 frame most shortlists.
Alexandria is compact enough that a single wrong neighborhood choice is easy to feel day to day — visit at commute hour before signing. Figures on this page are merged from Census ACS, BLS LAUS, FBI Crime Data Explorer, and NOAA Climate Normals — use them to compare Alexandria with nearby alternatives before you relocate.
Federal-contractor suburbs and Atlantic coastal towns pull different budgets. The normals show about 41.8 inches of rain and 247 sunny days across a typical year. Plan on roughly 34 minutes each way for a typical commute; Walk Score is about 64. Unemployment recently ran near 3.2%, broadly in line with many large U.S. counties. Violent-offense rates near 177.5 per 100k compare favorably with many peer metros, though local blocks still differ.
Nearby & similar cities
Continue researching with these internal links — each page is a full data profile.
Sources
- Census / ACS: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 5-year (Alexandria city, 1600000US5101000) — As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year
- BLS: BLS LAUS · Alexandria city, July 2026 — As of 2026-09-10 · July 2026
- Crime: FBI CIUS Table 8 (2019) city offenses known to law enforcement — rates per 100k; CDE API unavailable at enrich time — As of 2026-09-10 · 2019 offenses (FBI Table 8 fallback)
- Climate: NOAA 1991–2020 Monthly Normals (USW00013743 WASHINGTON REAGAN AP) — As of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals
- Population trend: U.S. Census Bureau PEP city/town estimates (2010–2024) — As of 2026-09-10 · Census PEP 2024
Catalog refreshed 2026-09-10