City Comparison

Alexandria vs Concord

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Alexandria

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

Concord

California
147
Expensive
$680,000
Median Home
$2,350/mo
Median Rent
$109,000
Median Income

The Verdict

1.4%

Alexandria is 1.4% less expensive than Concord overall. A household earning $75,000 in Alexandria would need approximately $76,034 in Concord to maintain the same standard of living.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
201
Alexandria
210
Concord
Groceries
113
Alexandria
112
Concord
Utilities
97
Alexandria
147
Concord
Transportation
107
Alexandria
137
Concord
Healthcare
102
Alexandria
121
Concord

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Alexandria has the same purchasing power as $76,034 in Concord.

Conversely, $75,000 in Concord equals $73,980 in Alexandria.

Living in Alexandria vs Concord

Housing Costs

Alexandria's housing index of 201 is lower Concord's 210, translating to median home prices of $590,000 vs $680,000. 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 $2,350/mo in Concord, a monthly difference of $225.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 113 in Alexandria and 112 in Concord. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $537/month in Alexandria vs $532/month in Concord. 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 147 in Concord. Monthly utility bills average approximately $388 in Alexandria vs $588 in Concord. 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 121 in Concord. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 19-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 $109,000 in Concord. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $82,552 and $74,150 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 $2,543/month in Concord. In Alexandria, median rent of $2,125/mo fits within this budget. In Concord, median rent of $2,350/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Utilities, where the gap is 50 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Alexandria is 1.4% more affordable overall with an index of 145 vs 147.
A $75,000 salary in Alexandria has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $76,034 in Concord, based on the cost of living difference.
Alexandria's housing index is 201 with median homes at $590,000, while Concord's is 210 with median homes at $680,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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