Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Alexandria, VA
VS
Santa Clara, CA
🏆 Alexandria leads 13 of 22 categories
Alexandria
Virginia
13
wins
Cost of Living Index
108.6⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$113,179
Violent Crime Index
58
Population
157,594 ✓ Larger
Santa Clara
California
9
wins
Cost of Living Index
112.9⚠ High
Median Household Income
$165,352 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
48 ✓ Safer
Population
128,058
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Alexandria, VA
Pros
Homes cost $785k less ($655,700 vs $1,440,200)
Rent averages $858/mo less ($1,983 vs $2,841)
Violent crime is well below the national average (219.1 vs 380/100k)
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.0 pts lower (3.2%)
Smaller class sizes — 15.1:1 student-teacher ratio
4% cheaper overall cost of living than Santa Clara
Cons
Median income trails Santa Clara by $52,173/yr
Property crime (2640.0/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Longer commutes — 30.1 min average each way
Santa Clara, CA
Pros
Households earn $52,173 more per year on average
17% less violent crime than Alexandria
Violent crime is well below the national average (182.0 vs 380/100k)
Commutes run 7 min shorter each way
Milder winters — January highs near 60°F vs 45°F
Cooler summers — July highs near 81°F vs 90°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $1,440,200
Higher rents — median is $2,841/mo
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 112.9)
Property crime (2501.9/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Key Differences at a Glance
Alexandria
Cost of Living
4% cheaper
COL index 108.6 vs 112.9 (100 = US avg)
Alexandria
Median Home Value
$785k less
$655,700 vs $1,440,200
Alexandria
Unemployment
1.0 pp lower
3.2% vs 4.2% unemployment
Alexandria
Summer Heat
8.8°F warmer
July avg high 89.6°F vs 80.8°F
Santa Clara
Median Income
$52,173
$165,352 vs $113,179/yr
Santa Clara
Violent Crime
17% lower
182.0 vs 219.1 per 100k
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Santa Clara, CA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 108.6⚠ High ✓ Cheaper | 112.9⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $655,700⚠ High ✓ Lower | $1,440,200⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,983⚠ High ✓ Lower | $2,841⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $113,179 | $165,352 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.2% ✓ Lower | 4.2%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 30.1 min⚠ High | 23.6 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 22.1% ✓ Higher | 21.9% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 85 | 76 ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 58 | 48 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 126⚠ High | 119⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A- (110) | A- (110) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 15.1:1 ✓ Smaller | 19.0:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 66.0% ✓ Higher | 64.6% |
| High School or Higher | 93.7% | 94.2% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Alexandria City Public Schools | Santa Clara Unified |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 44.8°F | 59.8°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 89.6°F ✓ Warmer | 80.8°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 41.8" | 15.6" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 13.7" | 0.0" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 157,594 ✓ Larger | 128,058 |
| Median Age | 37.4 ✓ Older | 34.5 |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.7% ✓ Higher | 41.9% |
| Under 18 | 18.1% ✓ More | 18.0% |
| Over 65 | 12.3% ✓ More | 11.3% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Alexandria's cost of living index is 108.6 vs Santa Clara's 112.9 (US average = 100).
Alexandria is 4% less expensive overall.
Based on the 22 decided categories above, Alexandria leads 13 of 22 categories. Alexandria wins 13 and Santa Clara wins 9. 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 Santa Clara or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($655,700 vs $1,440,200 median home), income ($113,179 vs $165,352), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Alexandria, VA and Santa Clara, CA are about 2,418 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.