CountyScore

Alexandria city

Virginia · VA

#132 in Virginia
56.2
County Score

County Report Card

About Alexandria city, Virginia

Alexandria meets national baseline

Alexandria's composite score of 50.5 nearly matches the national median of 50.0, indicating average overall livability by U.S. standards. However, this masks significant regional cost challenges typical of Northern Virginia urban centers.

Below Virginia's county average

With a score of 50.5, Alexandria trails Virginia's state average of 70.3, making it one of the lower-scoring jurisdictions in the Commonwealth. This reflects the steep housing costs characteristic of the D.C. metropolitan area.

High incomes offset some costs

Alexandria supports a median household income of $113,638 (income score: 57.5) with a reasonable tax burden (tax score: 74.5, effective rate 0.987%). These strong earnings help residents absorb the region's premium price tag.

Housing costs severely limit affordability

The cost score of 30.7 reflects median home values of $696,800 and monthly rents of $2,031—among the highest in Virginia. This extreme cost burden is the primary drag on overall livability for most households.

For high-earning urban professionals

Alexandria best suits affluent professionals working in the D.C. metro area who prioritize urban walkability and transit access over affordability. The city's strong incomes are essential to sustain its premium housing market.

Score breakdown

5 dimensions have live data. 3 more coming as vertical sites launch.

Tax74.5Cost30.7SafetyComing SoonHealth81.5SchoolsComing SoonIncome57.5Risk26.3WaterComing Soon
🏛74.5
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠30.7
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼57.5
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤81.5
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡26.3
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty →
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncomeincomebycounty.com
Compare Alexandria city with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Sonoma County
California
56.2
Median income: $102,840
Cheshire County
New Hampshire
56.2
Median income: $81,001
Lehigh County
Pennsylvania
56.2
Median income: $77,493
Riverside County
California
56.3
Median income: $89,672
Allegany County
New York
56.3
Median income: $61,233

Deep Dives

Alexandria city across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 5 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Alexandria city

via TaxByCounty

Alexandria has among the nation's highest property taxes

At 0.987%, Alexandria's effective property tax rate ranks in the top 5% of all U.S. counties, far exceeding the national median of 0.71%. The median annual tax of $6,879 is more than 2.5 times the national median of $2,690, driven by both high rates and premium property values near $697,000.

Alexandria leads Virginia in property tax burden

Alexandria's 0.987% effective rate is the highest of any Virginia jurisdiction, 47% above the state average of 0.671%. At $6,879 in median annual taxes, Alexandria residents pay 3.5 times the state median, reflecting significant investment in urban services and infrastructure.

Alexandria's taxes far exceed Northern Virginia peers

Even compared to neighboring Arlington County (0.899%), Alexandria carries the steeper tax burden, though Arlington's higher property values ($864,800 median) push individual bills higher. Both jurisdictions represent the region's premium tax-and-service model.

The typical Alexandria home generates nearly $7,000 in taxes

A median-value home at $696,800 generates approximately $6,879 in annual property taxes at Alexandria's 0.987% rate. Homeowners with mortgages pay $6,848, while those without mortgages pay $6,993.

Alexandria homeowners can challenge high assessments

With homes assessed near $697,000, even a 5% overassessment means hundreds in unnecessary annual taxes. Alexandria's tax assessment appeal process is available to residents who believe their properties are valued above market.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Alexandria city

via CostByCounty

Alexandria's rents strain even high-income households

Alexandria residents spend 21.4% of household income on rent—significantly higher than the national average of 18.6%—even with a median household income of $113,638, well above the U.S. median of $74,755. This rare combination of very high incomes and very high rents defines the city's premium market.

Virginia's second-priciest housing market overall

Alexandria's rent-to-income ratio of 21.4% ranks among Virginia's highest, exceeding the state average of 18.6% despite top-tier incomes. The median gross rent of $2,031 is 78% above the state median, reflecting the city's proximity to Washington, D.C., and federal employment.

Pricier than all rural and suburban Virginia

Alexandria's $2,031 median rent dwarfs every other county surveyed, exceeding nearby Arlington ($2,275 in ownership costs but lower rent) and Albemarle ($1,623) by wide margins. The city's $696,800 median home value is similarly among Virginia's highest.

Even affluent renters face steep housing burden

Renters pay $2,031 monthly while homeowners pay $2,635—the highest owner costs in this dataset—on a $113,638 median household income. Housing together consumes roughly one-fifth of household income, a notable burden even for this high-earning city.

Alexandria demands six-figure household budgets

If your household income exceeds $110,000 and you prioritize urban walkability and federal job access, Alexandria's premium rents become manageable. For others, nearby Fairfax or Arlington suburbs offer lower rents while maintaining regional employment access.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Alexandria city

via IncomeByCounty

Alexandria's incomes rank among America's highest

Alexandria's median household income of $113,638 exceeds the national median of $74,755 by about 52%, positioning the city in the top income tier across the country. Households here earn roughly $38,883 more annually than the typical American family.

Virginia's second-richest locality

Alexandria ranks among Virginia's highest-income cities and counties, with median household income 52% above the state average of $74,957. The city's per capita income of $77,935 nearly doubles Virginia's state average of $39,155.

Alexandria leads the Northern Virginia income corridor

Alexandria's $113,638 median income is surpassed only by nearby Arlington County ($140,160) in the immediate region. This pair of wealthy jurisdictions reflects the economic power of the Washington, D.C. metro area and federal employment concentration.

High income essential for pricey housing market

Alexandria's rent-to-income ratio of 21.4% shows housing consumes a larger share of income than the national standard, despite strong earnings. The median home value of $696,800 demands the city's premium incomes to maintain affordability.

Invest aggressively while in Alexandria's high-earning window

Alexandria's above-average incomes create a powerful opportunity to invest beyond retirement accounts and build generational wealth. Consider working with a wealth advisor on diversified portfolios, real estate investments, and tax strategies tailored to high earners in the D.C. region.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Alexandria city

via HealthByCounty

Alexandria leads on life expectancy

Alexandria residents live to an average age of 82.2 years—nearly 3 years above the U.S. average of 79.3 years. Only 12.2% report poor or fair health, well below the 17% national rate, indicating strong overall population health.

Virginia's top-ranked city for health

At 82.2 years, Alexandria's life expectancy is the highest among Virginia jurisdictions profiled here, exceeding the state average of 75.1 years by 7.1 years. The city's 12.2% poor/fair health rate ranks among the state's lowest, reflecting excellent health outcomes.

Alexandria outperforms surrounding region

Alexandria residents live longer than peers in nearby Arlington (83.9 years, marginally less) and substantially longer than rural Virginia counties like Accomack (73.8 years). The city's dense concentration of mental health providers (494 per 100K) far exceeds regional averages.

Urban density supports access

Alexandria offers 80 primary care providers and 494 mental health providers per 100,000 residents, delivering strong urban healthcare infrastructure. At 8.1%, the uninsured rate slightly exceeds the state average of 7.9%, though absolute numbers remain low among highly resourced urban populations.

Keep coverage current and complete

About 1 in 12 Alexandria residents lack insurance. Visit dc.gov/service/health-insurance or call 211 to connect with Medicaid, marketplace coverage, or employer-based plans suited to your family's needs.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Alexandria city

via RiskByCounty

Alexandria's urban risk is above average

Alexandria's composite risk score of 73.70 ranks as relatively low but remains more than double Virginia's state average of 33.27. Urban density and Potomac River proximity drive exposure to flood (81.84), hurricane (79.14), and earthquake (79.96) hazards.

Major urban center faces significant exposure

Alexandria ranks among Virginia's more hazard-exposed jurisdictions despite its 'relatively low' rating, reflecting the urban vulnerability of this high-density area. The city's position on tidal waterways elevates flood and hurricane risk compared to most inland counties.

Urban exposure higher than suburban peers

Alexandria's 73.70 score exceeds nearby Arlington County (66.79) and significantly surpasses rural counties like Appomattox (5.09). Urban waterfront location and concentrated infrastructure create compounded risk compared to surrounding jurisdictions.

Flooding and earthquakes pose main threats

Alexandria's flood risk (81.84) and earthquake risk (79.96) represent primary concerns, while hurricane risk (79.14) also merits attention given the city's tidal position. Wildfire risk (5.66) remains minimal for this urban environment.

Waterfront protection and seismic readiness critical

Flood insurance is essential given the city's proximity to the Potomac River and tidal surge exposure. Retrofit older buildings for seismic safety and ensure comprehensive homeowners coverage.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

ByCounty Network

🏛Property Tax🏠Cost of Living💼Income & Jobs🛡Safety❤Health🎓Schools⚡Disaster Risk💧Water Quality

Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS — informational only.