Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Alexandria, VA
VS
Boca Raton, FL
🏆 Boca Raton leads 13 of 23 categories
Alexandria
Virginia
10
wins
Cost of Living Index
108.6⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$113,179 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
58
Population
157,594 ✓ Larger
Boca Raton
Florida
13
wins
Cost of Living Index
111.8⚠ High
Median Household Income
$95,570
Violent Crime Index
45 ✓ Safer
Population
97,980
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Alexandria, VA
Pros
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.7 pts lower (3.2%)
Violent crime is well below the national average (219.1 vs 380/100k)
Households earn $17,609 more per year on average
Rent averages $187/mo less ($1,983 vs $2,170)
More college-educated — 66.0% hold a bachelor's or higher
3% cheaper overall cost of living than Boca Raton
Cons
Property crime (2640.0/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Pricier housing — median home is $655,700
Longer commutes — 30.1 min average each way
Boca Raton, FL
Pros
22% less violent crime than Alexandria
Violent crime is well below the national average (171.0 vs 380/100k)
Commutes run 9 min shorter each way
Milder winters — January highs near 76°F vs 45°F
Homes cost $59k less ($597,100 vs $655,700)
Cons
Median income trails Alexandria by $17,609/yr
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 111.8)
Higher unemployment (5.9% vs 3.2%)
Higher rents — median is $2,170/mo
Key Differences at a Glance
Alexandria
Cost of Living
3% cheaper
COL index 108.6 vs 111.8 (100 = US avg)
Alexandria
Median Income
$17,609
$113,179 vs $95,570/yr
Alexandria
Unemployment
2.7 pp lower
3.2% vs 5.9% unemployment
Boca Raton
Violent Crime
22% lower
171.0 vs 219.1 per 100k
Boca Raton
Median Home Value
$59k less
$597,100 vs $655,700
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Boca Raton, FL |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 108.6⚠ High ✓ Cheaper | 111.8⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $655,700⚠ High | $597,100⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,983⚠ High ✓ Lower | $2,170⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $113,179 ✓ Higher | $95,570 |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.2% ✓ Lower | 5.9%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 30.1 min⚠ High | 21.6 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 22.1% ✓ Higher | 18.0% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 85 | 59 ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 58 | 45 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 126⚠ High | 80 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A- (110) | A- (115) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 15.1:1 ✓ Smaller | 16.4:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 66.0% ✓ Higher | 59.0% |
| High School or Higher | 93.7% | 96.0% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Alexandria City Public Schools | PALM BEACH |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 44.8°F | 76.3°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 89.6°F | 90.5°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 41.8" ✓ Drier | 65.6" |
| Annual Snowfall | 13.7" | 0.0" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 157,594 ✓ Larger | 97,980 |
| Median Age | 37.4 | 47.1 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.7% | 65.7% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 18.1% ✓ More | 17.0% |
| Over 65 | 12.3% | 25.7% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Alexandria's cost of living index is 108.6 vs Boca Raton's 111.8 (US average = 100).
Alexandria is 3% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Boca Raton leads 13 of 23 categories. Alexandria wins 10 and Boca Raton wins 13. The right choice depends on your priorities — use the Pros & Cons and full table above to weigh what matters to you.
Whether you're moving from Alexandria to Boca Raton or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($655,700 vs $597,100 median home), income ($113,179 vs $95,570), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Alexandria, VA and Boca Raton, FL are about 878 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.