City Comparison

Alexandria vs Dublin

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Alexandria

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

Dublin

Ireland
104
Average
$470,000
Median Home
$2,125/mo
Median Rent
$56,000
Median Income

The Verdict

39.4%

The cost gap between these cities is 39.4%, with Dublin being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Alexandria has equivalent purchasing power to $53,793 in Dublin.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
201
Alexandria
128
Dublin
Groceries
113
Alexandria
95
Dublin
Utilities
97
Alexandria
110
Dublin
Transportation
107
Alexandria
108
Dublin
Healthcare
102
Alexandria
82
Dublin

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Alexandria has the same purchasing power as $53,793 in Dublin.

Conversely, $75,000 in Dublin equals $104,567 in Alexandria.

Living in Alexandria vs Dublin

Housing Costs

Alexandria's housing index of 201 is higher Dublin's 128, translating to median home prices of $590,000 vs $470,000. The $120,000 difference in home prices means roughly $7,800 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $2,125/mo in Alexandria compared to $2,125/mo in Dublin, a monthly difference of $0.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 113 in Alexandria and 95 in Dublin. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $537/month in Alexandria vs $451/month in Dublin. Dublin offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $1032/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 97 in Alexandria and 110 in Dublin. Monthly utility bills average approximately $388 in Alexandria vs $440 in Dublin. 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 82 in Dublin. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 20-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 $56,000 in Dublin. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $82,552 and $53,846 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 $1,307/month in Dublin. In Alexandria, median rent of $2,125/mo fits within this budget. In Dublin, median rent of $2,125/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 73 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Dublin is 39.4% more affordable overall with an index of 104 vs 145.
A $75,000 salary in Alexandria has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $53,793 in Dublin, based on the cost of living difference.
Alexandria's housing index is 201 with median homes at $590,000, while Dublin's is 128 with median homes at $470,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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