| Index | Alexandria | Minnesota | National |
| Cost of living | 98 | 100 | 100 |
| Groceries | 100 | 100 | 100 |
| Health care | 99 | 100 | 100 |
| Housing | 93 | 100 | 100 |
| Transportation | 100 | 100 | 100 |
| Utilities | 106 | 104 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 101 | 100 | 100 |
| Household Items | 102 | 100 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 99 | 99 | 100 |

Knowing the cost of living in Alexandria allows individuals to create a realistic budget. This helps them understand how their income will cover expenses and whether they need to make financial adjustments. The cost of living in any region can fluctuate due to various factors. To assess the cost of living consistently across different areas, a national average of 100 serves as the basis for the cost of living index. The cost of living in Alexandria stands at 98, marking it 2% lower than the national average.
The cost of living in Alexandria is about average when compared to all other cities across the nation. You can expect that everyday items like food, household expenses and utility bills will be no more expensive than any other average city. Residents can anticipate living expenses that remain in line with the national average, ensuring a manageable financial burden, making it an attractive choice for those seeking affordability without the constraints of higher everyday expenditures.
Is Alexandria an affordable place to live? That's a valid question to ask when you're thinking about moving to a new city. After all, how much it costs to live somewhere can be a huge factor in your decision. Affordability can be broken down into 3 common categories. The cost of living index (we talked about it earlier), housing expenses and income levels all play a big role in figuring out if a place is affordable. For instance, in Alexandria, the median home price is 0.1% higher than what most folks pay across the country, and monthly rent prices are 25% lower than the usual rates. Income levels in Alexandria come in at $81,276, which is 0.1% lower than the national average.
Groceries: Over the past 2-3 years, grocery expenses have experienced substantial upward trends. In certain markets, food prices have surged by over 20% during this period, while others have witnessed more modest increases. These fluctuations in food costs can wield significant influence over the overall cost of living in a given region. In Alexandria, the groceries index is 0.4% lower than the national average.
Housing: Elevated demand for housing within coveted locales has the propensity to escalate both property values and rental rates, thereby serving as a primary catalyst for an augmented cost of living. Conversely, areas witnessing diminished housing demand, particularly within less desirable environs, often experience an inversely proportional effect, leading to price reductions and subsequently contributing to a more modest cost of living. In Alexandria, the housing index is 7.4% lower than the national average.
Healthcare: Healthcare costs and insurance premiums can fluctuate greatly based on the city or state. Access to healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket expenses for doctor\’s visits, dentist costs, medication costs and specialized care costs can all impact the cost of living. In Alexandria, the healthcare costs are 0.9% lower than the national average.
The cost of living data for Alexandria shown above is based on a U.S. average baseline score of 100, making it easier to compare how far your dollar may go from one city to another. Housing uses U.S. Census home price and rental data, while all remaining values are AI-assisted estimates informed by regional pricing, climate, transportation dynamics, and local economic factors. These scores are best used for directional comparisons between cities.
| Cost of living index | |
| Groceries index | |
| Health care index | |
| Housing index | |
| Transportation index | |
| Utilities index | |
| Lifestyle index | |
| Household index | |
| Educare index |
| Median Income | Per Year | Per Month | Max Budget (28% DTI) | Max Budget (36% DTI) |
| Owners | $116,856 | $9,738 | $2,726 | $3,506 |
| Renters | $51,214 | $4,268 | $1,195 | $1,537 |
| State | General Sales Tax | With Max Surtax |
| Minnesota | 6.875% | 7.875% |
| State | Income Tax (Low) | Income Tax (High) |
| Minnesota | 5.35% | 9.85% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Westport, MN | 46 | 84 | 16.4% |
| Farwell, MN | 27 | 86 | 13.9% |
| Millerville, MN | 108 | 87 | 13.1% |
| West Union, MN | 83 | 88 | 12.3% |
| Lowry, MN | 353 | 88 | 11.6% |
| Alexandria, MN | 14,194 | 98 | 1.8% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Jefferson Valley-Yorktown, NY | 14,192 | 143 | 42.5% |
| Lebanon, NH | 14,197 | 115 | 15.0% |
| Short Hills, NJ | 14,190 | 262 | 162.3% |
| D'Iberville, MS | 14,203 | 95 | 5.2% |
| Bridgetown, OH | 14,203 | 91 | 9.3% |
| Alexandria, MN | 14,194 | 98 | 1.8% |