Alexandria is a medium-sized city located in the state of Virginia. The city has a population of 151,473 residents. In Alexandria, there are 10,143 people per square mile, which is well above the national population density average. If you are looking for a family friendly city, Alexandria might be a good fit as 74% of the population over 15 years old are married, and 58% have kids who are 18 years old or younger.
If you’re considering moving to any new city, it could be a very discouraging task. However, it could also be a positive experience if you are willing to get to know the city before actually living in Alexandria, Virginia. When searching for a new neighborhood, several key items should be considered. Safety is of utmost importance, ensuring a secure environment with low crime. Proximity to your workplace or school helps reduce commuting time and offers convenience. Access to amenities such as parks, grocery stores, and healthcare facilities enhances your daily life. Public transportation options contribute to easy mobility. A sense of community fosters a supportive and engaging environment. Lastly, the overall atmosphere should align with your desired lifestyle, ensuring a fulfilling living experience. Considering these items will guide you towards finding the perfect neighborhood that fits all your needs. The best areas in Alexandria and in surrounding cities are easier to find when you are able to make informed decisions. Using data from crime, cost of living, health & safety, employment, housing, you will see a detailed breakdown of the most important information as well as comparisons to the Virginia and national averages.
With a livability score of 82/100, Alexandria is ranked #778 in the United States and #38 in Virginia. Pack your bags! This is a very high score in comparison to other US cities. Living in Alexandria could be a great choice! Alexandria also ranks in the top 10 percent of all cities, which is no small feat! For each of the livability categories, we see that Alexandria ranks very well for crime (B+) and education (A+). There is at least one category that does not have great scores in Alexandria. The following was graded with a less than perfect score: cost of living (F).
Conveniently located amenities and interesting attractions are a great way to continuously enjoy Alexandria on a regular basis. Knowing that there are an abundance of amenities and things to do can ensure that you always have access to nearby grocery stores, restaurants, bars, coffee shops and exciting entertainment options. Some of the more notable entertainment options include: Old Town, Washington Masonic National Memorial, and The Birchmere.
Unemployment rates can range pretty dramatically from one city to another. Knowing that Alexandria has an unemployment rate of 0.68% could mean increased job opportunities with a higher demand for workers. It could also lead to higher wages as the demand for workers exceeds the availability of jobs. Most importantly, it could be a sign of a healthy and thriving local economy.
Test scores provide a measure of a school's academic performance, the proficiency of its students and can be an important metric in deciding if the local area schools can provide a solid educational system for children. The schools in Alexandria have a test score average of 72%, which is well above the US average.
Assuming that Alexandria meets all of your requirements like low crime rates, good schools and great local amenities, the next most important item to examine is the affordability of real estate in Alexandria. Everything else becomes a lot less important if it turns out that home prices in Alexandria are simply unattainable. The median home price for Alexandria homes is $520,700, which is 109.6% higher than the Virginia average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Alexandria, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 5.8, which is 52.6% higher than the Virginia average.
| Statistic | Alexandria | Virginia | National |
| Average one way commute | 31min | 28min | 26min |
| Workers who drive to work | 58.3% | 77.4% | 76.4% |
| Workers who carpool | 8.2% | 9.5% | 9.3% |
| Workers who take public transit | 22.2% | 4.5% | 5.1% |
| Workers who bicycle | 1.2% | 0.4% | 0.6% |
| Workers who walk | 3.5% | 2.4% | 2.8% |
| Working from home | 5.0% | 4.7% | 4.6% |
| Walk | Bike | Compact | Car | S.U.V. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Distance | |||||
| Duration | |||||
| Cost/Month |
Here are the best places to live in Virginia
See the best places to live in & around Alexandria
Top 10 best public schools in Alexandria
Top 10 cities in Virginia with the best education system