Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Alexandria, VA
VS
Seattle, WA
🏆 Seattle leads 13 of 23 categories
Alexandria
Virginia
10
wins
Cost of Living Index
108.6⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$113,179
Violent Crime Index
58 ✓ Safer
Population
157,594
Seattle
Washington
13
wins
Cost of Living Index
113.0⚠ High
Median Household Income
$116,068 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
204⚠ High
Population
734,603 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Alexandria, VA
Pros
72% less violent crime than Seattle
Homes cost $224k less ($655,700 vs $879,900)
Violent crime is well below the national average (219.1 vs 380/100k)
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.0 pts lower (3.2%)
4% cheaper overall cost of living than Seattle
Cons
Property crime (2640.0/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Median income trails Seattle by $2,889/yr
Seattle, WA
Pros
Cooler summers — July highs near 77°F vs 90°F
Households earn $2,889 more per year on average
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $879,900
Violent crime (775.1/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 113.0)
Property crime (5007.6/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Key Differences at a Glance
Alexandria
Cost of Living
4% cheaper
COL index 108.6 vs 113.0 (100 = US avg)
Alexandria
Violent Crime
72% lower
219.1 vs 775.1 per 100k
Alexandria
Median Home Value
$224k less
$655,700 vs $879,900
Alexandria
Unemployment
1.0 pp lower
3.2% vs 4.2% unemployment
Alexandria
Summer Heat
13.1°F warmer
July avg high 89.6°F vs 76.5°F
Seattle
Median Income
$2,889
$116,068 vs $113,179/yr
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Seattle, WA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 108.6⚠ High ✓ Cheaper | 113.0⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $655,700⚠ High ✓ Lower | $879,900⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,983⚠ High | $1,945⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $113,179 | $116,068 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.2% ✓ Lower | 4.2%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 30.1 min⚠ High | 27.2 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 22.1% | 27.0% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 85 ✓ Safer | 218⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 58 ✓ Safer | 204⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 126⚠ High ✓ Safer | 238⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A- (110) | A- (112) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 15.1:1 ✓ Smaller | 16.5:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 66.0% | 66.7% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 93.7% | 95.6% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Alexandria City Public Schools | Seattle School District No. 1 |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 44.8°F | 47.4°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 89.6°F ✓ Warmer | 76.5°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 41.8" | 38.5" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 13.7" | 3.8" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 157,594 | 734,603 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 37.4 ✓ Older | 35.4 |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.7% | 44.5% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 18.1% ✓ More | 14.0% |
| Over 65 | 12.3% | 12.8% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Alexandria's cost of living index is 108.6 vs Seattle's 113.0 (US average = 100).
Alexandria is 4% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Seattle leads 13 of 23 categories. Alexandria wins 10 and Seattle 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 Seattle or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($655,700 vs $879,900 median home), income ($113,179 vs $116,068), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Alexandria, VA and Seattle, WA are about 2,323 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.