Alexandria, VA vs Santa Monica, 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
Santa Monica
59.6
#1949 nationally
Alexandria leads in crime level (6.0 vs 21.3). Alexandria leads in cost of living index (155 vs 273). Santa Monica leads in walk score (83 vs 62).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Santa Monica, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 67.6 (#1397) | 59.6 (#1949) |
| Population | 155,230 | 89,922 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $672,586 | $1,685,560 |
| Median Household Income | $113,179 | $106,797 |
| Average Commute | 30.1 min | 25.3 min |
| Walk Score | 62 | 83 |
| Crime Level | 6.0 | 21.3 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 155 | 273 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+57.7 | D+32.9 |
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 →
F
59.6 Score
Santa Monica, CA
California community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$1,685,560
Population
89,922
Crime
High
Walk Score
83
Pacific
View Santa Monica, CA →
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