City Comparison

Alexandria vs Irving

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Alexandria

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

Irving

Texas
100
Average
$318,000
Median Home
$1,350/mo
Median Rent
$73,400
Median Income

The Verdict

45.0%

Living in Irving costs 45.0% less than Alexandria. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Alexandria, you would need $51,724 in Irving.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
201
Alexandria
94
Irving
Groceries
113
Alexandria
99
Irving
Utilities
97
Alexandria
111
Irving
Transportation
107
Alexandria
97
Irving
Healthcare
102
Alexandria
103
Irving

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Alexandria has the same purchasing power as $51,724 in Irving.

Conversely, $75,000 in Irving equals $108,750 in Alexandria.

Living in Alexandria vs Irving

Housing Costs

Alexandria's housing index of 201 is higher Irving's 94, translating to median home prices of $590,000 vs $318,000. The $272,000 difference in home prices means roughly $17,676 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $2,125/mo in Alexandria compared to $1,350/mo in Irving, a monthly difference of $775.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 113 in Alexandria and 99 in Irving. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $537/month in Alexandria vs $470/month in Irving. Irving offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $804/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 97 in Alexandria and 111 in Irving. Monthly utility bills average approximately $388 in Alexandria vs $444 in Irving. 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 103 in Irving. 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 $73,400 in Irving. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $82,552 and $73,400 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 $1,713/month in Irving. In Alexandria, median rent of $2,125/mo fits within this budget. In Irving, median rent of $1,350/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 107 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Irving is 45.0% more affordable overall with an index of 100 vs 145.
A $75,000 salary in Alexandria has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $51,724 in Irving, based on the cost of living difference.
Alexandria's housing index is 201 with median homes at $590,000, while Irving's is 94 with median homes at $318,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

Moving PlannersFinance BooksBudget Planners

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases