Alexandria vs Durham
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Alexandria
Durham
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 43.6%, with Durham being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Alexandria has equivalent purchasing power to $52,241 in Durham.
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 $52,241 in Durham.
Conversely, $75,000 in Durham equals $107,673 in Alexandria.
Living in Alexandria vs Durham
Housing Costs
Alexandria's housing index of 201 is higher Durham's 104, translating to median home prices of $590,000 vs $340,000. The $250,000 difference in home prices means roughly $16,248 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $2,125/mo in Alexandria compared to $1,400/mo in Durham, a monthly difference of $725.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 113 in Alexandria and 100 in Durham. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $537/month in Alexandria vs $475/month in Durham. Durham 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 Durham. Monthly utility bills average approximately $388 in Alexandria vs $372 in Durham. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 102 in Alexandria and 108 in Durham. 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 $57,738 in Durham. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $82,552 and $57,166 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 $1,347/month in Durham. In Alexandria, median rent of $2,125/mo fits within this budget. In Durham, median rent of $1,400/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 97 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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