Alexandria vs Lakewood
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Alexandria
Lakewood
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 9.0%, with Lakewood being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Alexandria has equivalent purchasing power to $68,793 in Lakewood.
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 $68,793 in Lakewood.
Conversely, $75,000 in Lakewood equals $81,767 in Alexandria.
Living in Alexandria vs Lakewood
Housing Costs
Alexandria's housing index of 201 is higher Lakewood's 188, translating to median home prices of $590,000 vs $574,000. The $16,000 difference in home prices means roughly $1,044 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $2,125/mo in Alexandria compared to $1,850/mo in Lakewood, a monthly difference of $275.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 113 in Alexandria and 101 in Lakewood. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $537/month in Alexandria vs $480/month in Lakewood. Lakewood offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $684/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 97 in Alexandria and 85 in Lakewood. Monthly utility bills average approximately $388 in Alexandria vs $340 in Lakewood. 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 84 in Lakewood. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 18-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 $83,800 in Lakewood. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $82,552 and $63,008 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 $1,955/month in Lakewood. In Alexandria, median rent of $2,125/mo fits within this budget. In Lakewood, median rent of $1,850/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Healthcare, where the gap is 18 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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