Alexandria, VA vs San Mateo, CA
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
San Mateo
63
#1808 nationally
Alexandria leads in cost of living index (155 vs 249). San Mateo leads in median household income ($149,152 vs $113,179). Alexandria leads in crime level (6.0 vs 6.7).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | San Mateo, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 67.6 (#1397) | 63 (#1808) |
| Population | 155,230 | 101,327 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $672,586 | $1,685,162 |
| Median Household Income | $113,179 | $149,152 |
| Average Commute | 30.1 min | 28.5 min |
| Walk Score | 62 | 68 |
| Crime Level | 6.0 | 6.7 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 155 | 249 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+57.7 | D+50.3 |
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 →
D
63 Score
San Mateo, CA
Mid-size California city with community character
Median Home
$1,685,162
Population
101,327
Crime
Moderate
Walk Score
68
Pacific
View San Mateo, CA →
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