Alexandria vs Champaign
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Alexandria
Champaign
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 79.0%, with Champaign being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Alexandria has equivalent purchasing power to $41,897 in Champaign.
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 $41,897 in Champaign.
Conversely, $75,000 in Champaign equals $134,259 in Alexandria.
Living in Alexandria vs Champaign
Housing Costs
Alexandria's housing index of 201 is higher Champaign's 83, translating to median home prices of $590,000 vs $215,000. The $375,000 difference in home prices means roughly $24,372 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $2,125/mo in Alexandria compared to $1,100/mo in Champaign, a monthly difference of $1,025.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 113 in Alexandria and 98 in Champaign. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $537/month in Alexandria vs $466/month in Champaign. Champaign offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $852/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 97 in Alexandria and 106 in Champaign. Monthly utility bills average approximately $388 in Alexandria vs $424 in Champaign. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 102 in Alexandria and 90 in Champaign. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 12-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 $56,100 in Champaign. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $82,552 and $69,259 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 $1,309/month in Champaign. In Alexandria, median rent of $2,125/mo fits within this budget. In Champaign, median rent of $1,100/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 118 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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