Alexandria's housing market is highly competitive and notoriously expensive, reflecting its desirability and location in the Washington metropolitan area. The median home price frequently hovers between $600,000 and $700,000, with historic townhomes in Old Town often selling for well over $1 million.
The housing stock is remarkably diverse. Old Town is characterized by centuries-old attached brick townhouses and rowhomes. Neighborhoods like Del Ray and Rosemont feature charming early 20th-century single-family homes, craftsman bungalows, and duplexes. The West End and Potomac Yard areas offer a high concentration of modern high-rise condominiums and large apartment complexes.
Due to the high cost of living, housing affordability is a primary civic issue. The city government has implemented various initiatives, partnerships, and zoning reforms to preserve and expand affordable and workforce housing to maintain socioeconomic diversity.