Alexandria, VA vs Ruston, LA
Side-by-side comparison of housing, income, commute, safety, and quality of life.
Score Snapshot
No universal winner
Scores summarize the published model. Use the objective metric differences below and your own priorities to choose.
Alexandria
67.6
#1397 nationally
Ruston
72.3
#911 nationally
Alexandria leads in median household income ($113,179 vs $32,877). Alexandria leads in walk score (62 vs 25). Ruston leads in average commute (13.9 min vs 30.1 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Ruston, LA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 67.6 (#1397) | 72.3 (#911) |
| Population | 155,230 | 22,233 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $672,586 | $229,937 |
| Median Household Income | $113,179 | $32,877 |
| Average Commute | 30.1 min | 13.9 min |
| Walk Score | 62 | 25 |
| Crime Level | 6.0 | 11.7 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 155 | 95 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+57.7 | R+25.4 |
D+
67.6 Score
Alexandria, VA
Mid-size Virginia city with community character
Median Home
$672,586
Population
155,230
Crime
Moderate
Walk Score
62
Northeast
View Alexandria, VA →
C-
72.3 Score
Ruston, LA
Small Louisiana city with local appeal
Median Home
$229,937
Population
22,233
Crime
Moderate-High
Walk Score
25
Southeast
View Ruston, LA →
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