City Comparison

Alexandria vs Baltimore: How they compare

Historic Old Town charm meets modern living in Alexandria. Baltimore is a waterfront city with a rich cultural identity, world-class healthcare institutions, and diverse neighborhoods. The details differ. Here is the sourced context for price, schools, commute, taxes, walkability, and reported crime data.

Market Overview

Alexandria's median sold price is $675K with homes averaging 32 days on market; Baltimore is at $275K and 41 days (12-month settled sales in smover's records, through Aug 2026). Alexandria is pricier ($675K median vs $275K), a difference of about $400K. Alexandria moves faster, with homes averaging 32 days on market compared to 41 in Baltimore. Baltimore offers a lower entry point at $50K–$1.5M.

Alexandria

VA

Baltimore

MD

Median Sold Price

12 months through Aug 2026

$675K

$275K

Avg Days on Market

12 months through Aug 2026

32 days

41 days

Price Range

$300K–$2M

$50K–$1.5M

Notable Neighborhoods

Old Town, Del Ray, Rosemont, Potomac Yard

Canton, Fells Point, Federal Hill, Roland Park

Schools

Alexandria has a 78% average SOL pass rate; Baltimore has 55% (2024 state assessment data). Public schools in Alexandria include T.C. Williams High School and George Mason Elementary; in Baltimore, Baltimore Polytechnic Institute and Baltimore City College. See Alexandria schools | See Baltimore schools

Alexandria

VA

Baltimore

MD

Avg Pass Rate

78%

55%

Public schools

T.C. Williams High School, George Mason Elementary, Lyles-Crouch Traditional Academy

Baltimore Polytechnic Institute, Baltimore City College, Western High School

These are district-wide assessment results. Verify current school assignments, boundaries, and programs with each local district for a specific address.

Commute

Alexandria is closer to downtown at ~20 minutes vs ~65 minutes. Alexandria has 4 Metro stations, including King St-Old Town on the Blue/Yellow lines. Major highway access: Alexandria (I-395, I-495, GW Parkway), Baltimore (I-95, I-695, I-83).

Alexandria

VA

Baltimore

MD

Drive to Downtown

~20 min

~65 min

Metro Stations

4 Metro stations (nearest: King St-Old Town)

No Metro access

Metro Lines

Blue, Yellow

N/A

Major Highways

I-395, I-495, GW Parkway

I-95, I-695, I-83, I-295, Rt 1

Commuter Rail

VRE (Fredericksburg line)

MARC (Penn Line, Camden Line)

Property Tax

On a $675K home in Alexandria, you would pay ~$7,493/yr in property tax. In Baltimore, a $275K home costs ~$6,182/yr. Alexandria has the lower rate at $1.110 per $100 of assessed value.

Alexandria

VA

Baltimore

MD

Rate per $100

$1.110

$2.248

Est. Annual Tax

Based on median home price

$7,493/yr

$6,182/yr

Notes

None

Baltimore City rate (highest in Maryland)

Walkability

Baltimore is more walkable with a Walk Score of 65 (Somewhat Walkable), compared to 57 in Alexandria. Transit scores: Alexandria (44) vs Baltimore (52). Walkability varies significantly by neighborhood. Urban corridors like Old Town and Canton score much higher than suburban areas.

Alexandria

VA

Baltimore

MD

Walk Score

57Somewhat Walkable
65Somewhat Walkable

Transit Score

44

52

Bike Score

64

58

Reported Crime Data

The cited public datasets report city-level violent- and property-crime rates for Alexandria and Baltimore. These historical figures do not describe a specific address or predict an individual's experience. Review the source period and local agency information for current context.

Alexandria

VA

Baltimore

MD

Reported Violent Crime

1.7/1K

11.2/1K

Reported Property Crime

17.8/1K

28.5/1K

VA

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MD

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Related Comparisons

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Alexandria or Baltimore more affordable?

Baltimore is more affordable with a median sold price of $275K, compared to $675K in Alexandria (12-month settled sales in smover's records, through Aug 2026). Both cities offer a wide range of housing options, from condos and townhomes to single-family homes. Alexandria prices range from $300K–$2M. Baltimore prices range from $50K–$1.5M.

What are the public-school pass rates in Alexandria and Baltimore?

Alexandria public schools have a 78% average SOL pass rate; Baltimore has 55% (2024 state assessment data). Public schools in Alexandria include T.C. Williams High School and George Mason Elementary; in Baltimore, Baltimore Polytechnic Institute and Baltimore City College. Pass rates reflect district-wide assessment results; check the specific assigned schools for any address.

Which is easier to commute from, Alexandria or Baltimore?

Alexandria has the shorter commute to downtown at ~20 minutes vs ~65 minutes. Alexandria has Metro access (King St-Old Town). Baltimore has no direct Metro access.

What are property taxes in Alexandria vs Baltimore?

Alexandria has a property tax rate of $1.110 per $100 (~$7,493/yr on a $675K home). Baltimore's rate is $2.248 per $100 (~$6,182/yr on a $275K home). Tax rates are set annually by each locality.

How do Alexandria and Baltimore compare?

Historic Old Town charm meets modern living in Alexandria. Baltimore is a waterfront city with a rich cultural identity, world-class healthcare institutions, and diverse neighborhoods. The right choice depends on your priorities: budget, commute length, home types, and neighborhood feel. smover lets you compare agent profiles and available transaction records in either city.

Median sold prices and days on market are 12-month aggregates of settled sales in smover's records, through Aug 2026. School data from Virginia DOE, Maryland MSDE, and DC OSSE public reports. Property tax rates from Virginia Dept. of Taxation (2024). Walkability scores from Walk Score (2024). Crime data from FBI UCR and Virginia State Police (2023). Commute times are approximate rush-hour estimates. Updated September 2026.

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