| Index | Alexandria | Virginia | National |
| Cost of living | 155 | 111 | 100 |
| Groceries | 101 | 103 | 100 |
| Health care | 102 | 103 | 100 |
| Housing | 272 | 129 | 100 |
| Transportation | 109 | 105 | 100 |
| Utilities | 101 | 104 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 105 | 103 | 100 |
| Household Items | 102 | 102 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 115 | 109 | 100 |
The cost of living in Alexandria affects the quality of life one can afford in this new location. It allows people to assess whether they can maintain their preferred lifestyle, including housing, leisure activities and dining options. Your total monthly expenditures can varry depending on the area, as well as many other factors. The cost of living in Alexandria is 155, which is 55% higher than the national average. Knowledge of the cost of living can help individuals make informed decisions about retirement savings, investments, and financial goals.
If you prioritize affordability when seeking a new place to live, Alexandria may not be your ideal choice, as it ranks among the most expensive locations in the entire United States. A very small amount of areas exhibit a cost of living at least 20% higher than the national average, and unfortunately, Alexandria falls into this category, which may not align with your preferences for a budget-friendly living environment.
Housing costs are a very significant part of the Alexandria cost of living index and generally encompass a large percentage of take-home income. Unfortunately, in this area, the housing costs for both homes and rentals were 171.9% more than the average city. This includes things like home and rent prices, mortgage rates and insurance.
Locals have the inside scoop on their city. So, we polled 30 residents in Alexandria to learn how they view the cost of living. We asked how they felt about the cost of living in their area, and if they thought that prices were increasing, decreasing or staying the same. The verdict? 37% find it reasonable with decreasing prices, but 63% think it's quite pricey, with prices that continue to rise.
Wondering if Alexandria is affordable? It's a question that often comes up when you're thinking about a new city since affordability can really shape your decisions. The cost of living index (covered earlier), housing expenses and income levels all play a part in the affordability equation. In Alexandria, for example, the median home price is 210.3% higher than what folks pay nationally, and monthly rent is 82.3% higher than the usual rates. Plus, income levels matter too, with Alexandria boasting a median household income of $151,283, which is 86% higher than the national average.
Healthcare: The costs associated with healthcare and insurance premiums can exhibit notable disparities based on the city or state of residence. Access to healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket expenses for medical appointments, dental care charges, prescription medication costs and specialized medical care expenses all contribute to variations in the cost of living. In Alexandria, healthcare costs are 1.6% higher than the national average.
Urbanization: Larger, urban areas boasting abundant amenities and robust employment prospects often exhibit a heightened cost of living, driven by the increased demand for services and residential relocation. Consequently, this leads to elevated home prices and higher rental rates. In contrast, sparsely populated rural locales or regions marked by diminished demand typically offer a more limited range of amenities and experience slower job market expansion. This translates into a more affordable cost of living.
Utilities: Similar to the prices of any goods or services, utility expenses can fluctuate widely, contingent on variables such as climate, available energy sources, geographical location and state regulations. Costs associated with electricity, water, heating, and waste disposal can differ in magnitude, depending on the specific city or state. In Alexandria, the utilities index registers at 0.6% higher than the national average.
The Alexandria cost of living data above is designed around a U.S. average baseline of 100, allowing for easy comparisons of relative living costs. Housing incorporates U.S. Census home price and rental data, while all other figures are AI-assisted estimates that account for regional price trends, climate, transportation dynamics, and common everyday expenses. These values are best used as directional city-to-city comparisons.
| 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 | $231,290 | $19,274 | $5,396 | $6,939 |
| Renters | $115,149 | $9,596 | $2,687 | $3,455 |
| State | General Sales Tax | With Max Surtax |
| Virginia | 5.3% | 6% |
| State | Income Tax (Low) | Income Tax (High) |
| Virginia | 2% | 5.75% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Cedarville, MD | 599 | 110 | 10.1% |
| Rose Hill CDP (Lee County), VA | 731 | 89 | 11.0% |
| Potomac Heights, MD | 1,295 | 90 | 10.5% |
| Woodlawn CDP (Carroll County), VA | 2,334 | 89 | 11.3% |
| Wakefield town, VA | 838 | 92 | 8.4% |
| Alexandria, VA | 164,023 | 155 | 54.7% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Hayward, CA | 163,491 | 173 | 72.6% |
| Greater Sudbury, ON | 165,562 | n/a | |
| Salinas, CA | 161,640 | 149 | 49.0% |
| Lancaster, CA | 161,201 | 126 | 25.7% |
| Clarksville, TN | 160,664 | 96 | 3.7% |
| Alexandria, VA | 164,023 | 155 | 54.7% |
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