City Comparison

Alexandria vs McLean: How they compare

Historic Old Town charm meets modern living in Alexandria. McLean is synonymous with luxury living in Northern Virginia. Both are strong options, but the details matter. Here is how they compare across price, schools, commute, taxes, walkability, and safety.

Market Overview

Alexandria's median sold price is $675K with homes averaging 32 days on market; McLean is at $1.4M and 41 days (12-month settled sales in smover's records, through Aug 2026). McLean is pricier ($1.4M median vs $675K), a difference of about $675K. Alexandria moves faster, with homes averaging 32 days on market compared to 41 in McLean. Alexandria offers a lower entry point at $300K–$2M.

Alexandria

VA

McLean

VA

Median Sold Price

12 months through Aug 2026

$675K

$1.4M

Avg Days on Market

12 months through Aug 2026

32 days

41 days

Price Range

$300K–$2M

$700K–$5M+

Notable Neighborhoods

Old Town, Del Ray, Rosemont, Potomac Yard

Langley Farms, Chain Bridge Forest, Broyhill Langley Estates, McLean Hamlet

Property Tax

On a $675K home in Alexandria, you would pay ~$7,493/yr in property tax. In McLean, a $1.4M home costs ~$14,985/yr. Both cities share the same rate of $1.110 per $100 of assessed value.

Alexandria

VA

McLean

VA

Rate per $100

$1.110

$1.110

Est. Annual Tax

Based on median home price

$7,493/yr

$14,985/yr

Notes

None

Fairfax County rate

Walkability

Alexandria is more walkable with a Walk Score of 57 (Somewhat Walkable), compared to 28 in McLean. Transit scores: Alexandria (44) vs McLean (22). Walkability varies significantly by neighborhood. Urban corridors like Old Town and Langley Farms score much higher than suburban areas.

Alexandria

VA

McLean

VA

Walk Score

57Somewhat Walkable
28Car-Dependent

Transit Score

44

22

Bike Score

64

32

Safety

McLean is rated "Very Safe" with a total crime rate 60% below Virginia average. Alexandria is rated "Average" (15% above Virginia average). Both cities compare favorably to broader regional trends. Crime rates vary by neighborhood, so check specific areas when house hunting.

Alexandria

VA

McLean

VA

Safety Rating

Average
Very Safe

Violent Crime

1.7/1K

0.3/1K

Property Crime

17.8/1K

6.5/1K

vs Virginia Avg

15% above Virginia average

60% below Virginia average

VA

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Alexandria or McLean more affordable?

Alexandria is more affordable with a median sold price of $675K, compared to $1.4M in McLean (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. McLean prices range from $700K–$5M+.

What are property taxes in Alexandria vs McLean?

Alexandria has a property tax rate of $1.110 per $100 (~$7,493/yr on a $675K home). McLean's rate is $1.110 per $100 (~$14,985/yr on a $1.4M home). Tax rates are set annually by each locality.

How do Alexandria and McLean compare?

Historic Old Town charm meets modern living in Alexandria. McLean is synonymous with luxury living in Northern Virginia. The right choice depends on your priorities: budget, commute length, home types, and neighborhood feel. smover can connect you with a verified agent 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 August 2026.

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Alexandria vs McLean: Median $675K vs $1.4M (2026) | smover