Houston
Texas
Pop. 2,296,253
VS
Alexandria
Virginia
Pop. 157,594

Full comparison across 7 data categories from U.S. government sources

71
Overall Score /100
Wins 1 of 7 categories
64
Overall Score /100
Wins 2 of 7 categories
Alexandria wins 2–1
based on 7 categories of official U.S. government data
⚡ TL;DR
Houston wins 1–2 overall (71/100)
💰 Houston is more affordable
💼 Alexandria has lower unemployment
🛡️ Alexandria has fewer disasters

📋 Houston vs Alexandria — The Verdict

Alexandria scores 64.8/100 compared to Houston's 71.2/100, winning 2 out of 7 data categories. On affordability, Houston has a clear edge with home prices 64% lower. For safety-conscious movers, Alexandria has a notably lower disaster history with 10 fewer declarations in 20 years. Houston may be the better fit for budget-conscious movers.

💡 Key Differences
🏠
Home prices in Houston are 64% lower — a difference of $420,700 in median home value.
💰
Renting in Houston saves you $748/month — that's $8,976 per year.
💵
Households in Alexandria earn $52,739 more per year (87% higher median income).
📊
Alexandria has a 0.7 percentage point lower unemployment rate, suggesting a stronger job market.
🛡️
Alexandria has experienced 10 fewer federally declared disasters in the last 20 years, indicating lower overall natural disaster risk.
💰 Houston vs Alexandria: Cost of Living Comparison
80
vs
25
Median Home Value
$235,000
$655,700
Median Rent /mo
$1,235
$1,983
Median Income
$60,440
$113,179
Electricity ¢/kWh
¢
¢
The affordability gap is significant — Houston offers home prices 64% lower than Alexandria, translating to $420,700 in savings on a median-priced home. This difference alone could determine which city makes financial sense for your situation.
💼 Houston vs Alexandria: Job Market & Salaries
55
vs
85
Unemployment Rate
4.3%
3.6%
Job Growth YoY
%
%
Labor Force
N/A
N/A
Both cities offer competitive employment, with Alexandria having a slight edge at 3.6% unemployment. Industry fit may matter more than the overall rate.
🌡️ Houston vs Alexandria: Weather & Climate
50
vs
50
Summer High
°F
°F
Winter Low
°F
°F
Sunny Days /yr
Annual Rain
"
"
Annual Snow
"
"
📊 See Full City Rankings →
🌿 Houston vs Alexandria: Air Quality & Environment
100
vs
100
Air Quality (AQI)
12
5 Good
Toxic Facilities (TRI)
0
0
Water Violations
0
0
Environmental conditions are broadly similar between the two cities based on current EPA monitoring data.
🌐 Houston vs Alexandria: Internet & Infrastructure
50
vs
50
Max Internet Speed
N/A Mbps
N/A Mbps
ISP Providers
0
0
Fiber Available
❌ No
❌ No
Solar Potential (kWh/m²/day)
Internet and utility infrastructure data helps assess remote work viability and monthly overhead costs in each city.
⚠️ Houston vs Alexandria: Natural Disaster Risk
95
vs
95
Disasters (20 years)
21
11
Flood Zone
None
None
Earthquake Risk
Low
Low
Hurricane Risk
High
Moderate
Alexandria has a markedly lower disaster history — 10 fewer federal declarations over 20 years. This can translate to lower insurance premiums and less disruption to daily life.

❓ Moving from Houston to Alexandria: Common Questions

Is Houston or Alexandria cheaper to live in?
Houston is more affordable overall. Home prices are $420,700 lower in Houston. Monthly rent is $1,235 in Houston vs $1,983 in Alexandria.
Does Houston or Alexandria have better weather?
Alexandria scores higher on climate (50/100 vs 50/100).
Is Houston or Alexandria better for finding a job?
Alexandria currently has a stronger job market. Unemployment is 4.3% in Houston vs 3.6% in Alexandria. Median household income is $60,440 in Houston and $113,179 in Alexandria.
Which city is safer — Houston or Alexandria?
In terms of natural disaster risk, Alexandria is safer. Houston has had 21 federal disaster declarations in 20 years vs 11 in Alexandria. Houston scores 95/100 on safety vs 95/100 for Alexandria.
Should I move from Houston to Alexandria?
Based on our data, Houston scores 71.2/100 vs Alexandria's 64.8/100 overall. The best choice depends on your priorities — Houston is more affordable, while Alexandria has a better climate.

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📊 Data: U.S. Census Bureau (ACS), Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS), NOAA Climate Normals, EPA AirNow & TRI, NREL PVWatts, FEMA Disaster Declarations, FCC Broadband Data. Last updated: April 5, 2026.