City Comparison

Alexandria vs Colorado Springs

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Alexandria

Virginia
145
Expensive
$590,000
Median Home
$2,125/mo
Median Rent
$119,700
Median Income

Colorado Springs

Colorado
105
Average
$380,000
Median Home
$1,500/mo
Median Rent
$64,712
Median Income

The Verdict

38.1%

The cost gap between these cities is 38.1%, with Colorado Springs being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Alexandria has equivalent purchasing power to $54,310 in Colorado Springs.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable

Housing
201
Alexandria
115
Colorado Springs
Groceries
113
Alexandria
100
Colorado Springs
Utilities
97
Alexandria
93
Colorado Springs
Transportation
107
Alexandria
101
Colorado Springs
Healthcare
102
Alexandria
104
Colorado Springs

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Alexandria has the same purchasing power as $54,310 in Colorado Springs.

Conversely, $75,000 in Colorado Springs equals $103,571 in Alexandria.

Living in Alexandria vs Colorado Springs

Housing Costs

Alexandria's housing index of 201 is higher Colorado Springs's 115, 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 $1,500/mo in Colorado Springs, a monthly difference of $625.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 113 in Alexandria and 100 in Colorado Springs. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $537/month in Alexandria vs $475/month in Colorado Springs. Colorado Springs offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $744/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 97 in Alexandria and 93 in Colorado Springs. Monthly utility bills average approximately $388 in Alexandria vs $372 in Colorado Springs. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 102 in Alexandria and 104 in Colorado Springs. 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 $119,700 in Alexandria and $64,712 in Colorado Springs. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $82,552 and $61,630 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 $1,510/month in Colorado Springs. In Alexandria, median rent of $2,125/mo fits within this budget. In Colorado Springs, median rent of $1,500/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 86 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Colorado Springs is 38.1% more affordable overall with an index of 105 vs 145.
A $75,000 salary in Alexandria has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $54,310 in Colorado Springs, based on the cost of living difference.
Alexandria's housing index is 201 with median homes at $590,000, while Colorado Springs's is 115 with median homes at $380,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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