Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Alexandria, VA
VS
Colorado Springs, CO
🏆 Colorado Springs leads 12 of 23 categories
Alexandria
Virginia
11
wins
Cost of Living Index
108.6⚠ High
Median Household Income
$113,179 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
58 ✓ Safer
Population
157,594
Colorado Springs
Colorado
12
wins
Cost of Living Index
97.4 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$79,026
Violent Crime Index
188⚠ High
Population
479,612 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Alexandria, VA
Pros
69% less violent crime than Colorado Springs
Households earn $34,153 more per year on average
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.4 pts lower (3.2%)
Violent crime is well below the national average (219.1 vs 380/100k)
More college-educated — 66.0% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $655,700
Higher rents — median is $1,983/mo
Property crime (2640.0/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Cost of living runs 11% higher than Colorado Springs
Colorado Springs, CO
Pros
Homes cost $273k less ($383,000 vs $655,700)
Rent averages $519/mo less ($1,464 vs $1,983)
Commutes run 7 min shorter each way
11% cheaper overall cost of living than Alexandria
Cons
Median income trails Alexandria by $34,153/yr
Violent crime (715.6/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (3448.8/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Higher unemployment (5.6% vs 3.2%)
Key Differences at a Glance
Alexandria
Median Income
$34,153
$113,179 vs $79,026/yr
Alexandria
Violent Crime
69% lower
219.1 vs 715.6 per 100k
Alexandria
Unemployment
2.4 pp lower
3.2% vs 5.6% unemployment
Alexandria
Summer Heat
3.1°F warmer
July avg high 89.6°F vs 86.5°F
Colorado Springs
Cost of Living
11% cheaper
COL index 97.4 vs 108.6 (100 = US avg)
Colorado Springs
Median Home Value
$273k less
$383,000 vs $655,700
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Colorado Springs, CO |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 108.6⚠ High | 97.4 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $655,700⚠ High | $383,000⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,983⚠ High | $1,464⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $113,179 ✓ Higher | $79,026 |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.2% ✓ Lower | 5.6%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 30.1 min⚠ High | 22.9 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 22.1% ✓ Higher | 13.8% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 85 ✓ Safer | 179⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 58 ✓ Safer | 188⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 126⚠ High ✓ Safer | 164⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A- (110) ✓ Better | B (99) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 15.1:1 | 14.9:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 66.0% ✓ Higher | 41.1% |
| High School or Higher | 93.7% | 94.3% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Alexandria City Public Schools | Colorado Springs School District No. 11 in the county of E |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 44.8°F | 45.0°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 89.6°F ✓ Warmer | 86.5°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 41.8" | 19.0" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 13.7" ✓ Less | 55.2" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 157,594 | 479,612 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 37.4 ✓ Older | 35.1 |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.7% | 61.1% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 18.1% | 22.1% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 12.3% | 14.3% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Alexandria's cost of living index is 108.6 vs Colorado Springs's 97.4 (US average = 100).
Colorado Springs is 11% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Colorado Springs leads 12 of 23 categories. Alexandria wins 11 and Colorado Springs wins 12. 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 Colorado Springs or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($655,700 vs $383,000 median home), income ($113,179 vs $79,026), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Alexandria, VA and Colorado Springs, CO are about 1,484 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.