Alexandria vs Arlington
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Alexandria
Arlington
The Verdict
Alexandria is 11.6% less expensive than Arlington overall. A household earning $75,000 in Alexandria would need approximately $84,828 in Arlington 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 Alexandria has the same purchasing power as $84,828 in Arlington.
Conversely, $75,000 in Arlington equals $66,311 in Alexandria.
Living in Alexandria vs Arlington
Housing Costs
Alexandria's housing index of 201 is lower Arlington's 249, translating to median home prices of $590,000 vs $740,000. The $150,000 difference in home prices means roughly $9,756 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $2,125/mo in Alexandria compared to $2,350/mo in Arlington, a monthly difference of $225.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 113 in Alexandria and 106 in Arlington. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $537/month in Alexandria vs $504/month in Arlington. Arlington offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $396/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 97 in Alexandria and 102 in Arlington. Monthly utility bills average approximately $388 in Alexandria vs $408 in Arlington. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 102 in Alexandria and 117 in Arlington. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 15-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $119,700 in Alexandria and $145,000 in Arlington. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $82,552 and $88,415 respectively. Arlington residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $2,793/month to housing in Alexandria vs $3,383/month in Arlington. In Alexandria, median rent of $2,125/mo fits within this budget. In Arlington, median rent of $2,350/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 48 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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