Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Alexandria, VA
VS
Minneapolis, MN
🏆 Alexandria leads 13 of 23 categories
Alexandria
Virginia
13
wins
Cost of Living Index
108.6⚠ High
Median Household Income
$113,179 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
58 ✓ Safer
Population
157,594
Minneapolis
Minnesota
10
wins
Cost of Living Index
104.5⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$76,332
Violent Crime Index
305⚠ High
Population
426,877 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Alexandria, VA
Pros
81% less violent crime than Minneapolis
Households earn $36,847 more per year on average
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.6 pts lower (3.2%)
Violent crime is well below the national average (219.1 vs 380/100k)
Milder winters — January highs near 45°F vs 22°F
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
Longer commutes — 30.1 min average each way
Minneapolis, MN
Pros
Homes cost $327k less ($328,700 vs $655,700)
Rent averages $716/mo less ($1,267 vs $1,983)
Commutes run 7 min shorter each way
Cooler summers — July highs near 83°F vs 90°F
Smaller class sizes — 11.9:1 student-teacher ratio
4% cheaper overall cost of living than Alexandria
Cons
Median income trails Alexandria by $36,847/yr
Violent crime (1160.2/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (5142.9/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Higher unemployment (5.8% vs 3.2%)
Key Differences at a Glance
Alexandria
Median Income
$36,847
$113,179 vs $76,332/yr
Alexandria
Violent Crime
81% lower
219.1 vs 1160.2 per 100k
Alexandria
Unemployment
2.6 pp lower
3.2% vs 5.8% unemployment
Alexandria
Summer Heat
6.5°F warmer
July avg high 89.6°F vs 83.1°F
Minneapolis
Cost of Living
4% cheaper
COL index 104.5 vs 108.6 (100 = US avg)
Minneapolis
Median Home Value
$327k less
$328,700 vs $655,700
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Minneapolis, MN |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 108.6⚠ High | 104.5⚠ High ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $655,700⚠ High | $328,700⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,983⚠ High | $1,267 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $113,179 ✓ Higher | $76,332 |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.2% ✓ Lower | 5.8%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 30.1 min⚠ High | 22.9 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 22.1% ✓ Higher | 19.6% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 85 ✓ Safer | 281⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 58 ✓ Safer | 305⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 126⚠ High ✓ Safer | 245⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A- (110) | A- (117) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 15.1:1 | 11.9:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 66.0% ✓ Higher | 53.5% |
| High School or Higher | 93.7% ✓ Higher | 90.8% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Alexandria City Public Schools | Minneapolis Public School District |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 44.8°F ✓ Warmer | 21.7°F |
| Avg High — July | 89.6°F ✓ Warmer | 83.1°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 41.8" | 33.3" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 13.7" ✓ Less | 40.4" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 157,594 | 426,877 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 37.4 ✓ Older | 32.8 |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.7% | 48.1% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 18.1% | 19.1% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 12.3% ✓ More | 10.7% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Alexandria's cost of living index is 108.6 vs Minneapolis's 104.5 (US average = 100).
Minneapolis is 4% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Alexandria leads 13 of 23 categories. Alexandria wins 13 and Minneapolis wins 10. 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 Minneapolis or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($655,700 vs $328,700 median home), income ($113,179 vs $76,332), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Alexandria, VA and Minneapolis, MN are about 932 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.