Alexandria vs Cary
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Alexandria
Cary
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 36.8%, with Cary being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Alexandria has equivalent purchasing power to $54,828 in Cary.
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 $54,828 in Cary.
Conversely, $75,000 in Cary equals $102,594 in Alexandria.
Living in Alexandria vs Cary
Housing Costs
Alexandria's housing index of 201 is higher Cary's 152, translating to median home prices of $590,000 vs $500,000. The $90,000 difference in home prices means roughly $5,856 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $2,125/mo in Alexandria compared to $1,850/mo in Cary, a monthly difference of $275.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 113 in Alexandria and 101 in Cary. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $537/month in Alexandria vs $480/month in Cary. Cary offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $684/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 97 in Alexandria and 97 in Cary. Monthly utility bills average approximately $388 in Alexandria vs $388 in Cary. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 102 in Alexandria and 113 in Cary. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 11-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 $117,400 in Cary. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $82,552 and $110,755 respectively. Cary 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 $2,739/month in Cary. In Alexandria, median rent of $2,125/mo fits within this budget. In Cary, median rent of $1,850/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 49 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases