City Comparison

Alexandria vs Gilbert

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Alexandria

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

Gilbert

Arizona
111
Above Average
$470,000
Median Home
$1,700/mo
Median Rent
$94,518
Median Income

The Verdict

30.6%

Living in Gilbert costs 30.6% less than Alexandria. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Alexandria, you would need $57,414 in Gilbert.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
201
Alexandria
128
Gilbert
Groceries
113
Alexandria
100
Gilbert
Utilities
97
Alexandria
96
Gilbert
Transportation
107
Alexandria
103
Gilbert
Healthcare
102
Alexandria
95
Gilbert

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Alexandria has the same purchasing power as $57,414 in Gilbert.

Conversely, $75,000 in Gilbert equals $97,973 in Alexandria.

Living in Alexandria vs Gilbert

Housing Costs

Alexandria's housing index of 201 is higher Gilbert'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 $1,700/mo in Gilbert, a monthly difference of $425.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 113 in Alexandria and 100 in Gilbert. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $537/month in Alexandria vs $475/month in Gilbert. Gilbert 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 96 in Gilbert. Monthly utility bills average approximately $388 in Alexandria vs $384 in Gilbert. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 102 in Alexandria and 95 in Gilbert. 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 $94,518 in Gilbert. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $82,552 and $85,151 respectively. Gilbert residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $2,793/month to housing in Alexandria vs $2,205/month in Gilbert. In Alexandria, median rent of $2,125/mo fits within this budget. In Gilbert, median rent of $1,700/mo remains manageable. 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

Gilbert is 30.6% more affordable overall with an index of 111 vs 145.
A $75,000 salary in Alexandria has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $57,414 in Gilbert, based on the cost of living difference.
Alexandria's housing index is 201 with median homes at $590,000, while Gilbert's is 128 with median homes at $470,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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