Abilene vs Alexandria
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Abilene
Alexandria
The Verdict
Abilene is 44.8% less expensive than Alexandria overall. A household earning $75,000 in Abilene would need approximately $135,938 in Alexandria to maintain the same standard of living.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Abilene has the same purchasing power as $135,938 in Alexandria.
Conversely, $75,000 in Alexandria equals $41,379 in Abilene.
Living in Abilene vs Alexandria
Housing Costs
Abilene's housing index of 58 is lower Alexandria's 201, translating to median home prices of $179,000 vs $590,000. The $411,000 difference in home prices means roughly $26,712 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $950/mo in Abilene compared to $2,125/mo in Alexandria, a monthly difference of $1,175.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 91 in Abilene and 113 in Alexandria. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $432/month in Abilene vs $537/month in Alexandria. Abilene offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $1260/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 97 in Abilene and 97 in Alexandria. Monthly utility bills average approximately $388 in Abilene vs $388 in Alexandria. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 96 in Abilene and 102 in Alexandria. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. Healthcare costs are relatively similar between these two cities, though individual plan costs can still vary.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $62,600 in Abilene and $119,700 in Alexandria. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $78,250 and $82,552 respectively. Alexandria residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,461/month to housing in Abilene vs $2,793/month in Alexandria. In Abilene, median rent of $950/mo fits within this budget. In Alexandria, median rent of $2,125/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 143 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases