Alexandria vs Burlington
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Alexandria
Burlington
The Verdict
Burlington is 22.9% less expensive than Alexandria overall. A household earning $75,000 in Alexandria would need approximately $61,034 in Burlington 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 $61,034 in Burlington.
Conversely, $75,000 in Burlington equals $92,161 in Alexandria.
Living in Alexandria vs Burlington
Housing Costs
Alexandria's housing index of 201 is higher Burlington's 139, translating to median home prices of $590,000 vs $380,000. The $210,000 difference in home prices means roughly $13,656 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $2,125/mo in Alexandria compared to $1,800/mo in Burlington, a monthly difference of $325.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 113 in Alexandria and 108 in Burlington. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $537/month in Alexandria vs $513/month in Burlington. The difference in grocery costs between these cities is relatively minor and unlikely to be a deciding factor in relocation.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 97 in Alexandria and 115 in Burlington. Monthly utility bills average approximately $388 in Alexandria vs $460 in Burlington. Climate differences between the two cities drive much of this gap, with heating and cooling costs varying substantially by region.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 102 in Alexandria and 116 in Burlington. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 14-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 $51,098 in Burlington. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $82,552 and $43,303 respectively. Alexandria residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $2,793/month to housing in Alexandria vs $1,192/month in Burlington. In Alexandria, median rent of $2,125/mo fits within this budget. In Burlington, median rent of $1,800/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 62 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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