City Comparison

Alexandria vs Sydney

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Alexandria

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

Sydney

Australia
105
Average
$825,000
Median Home
$2,050/mo
Median Rent
$60,000
Median Income

The Verdict

38.1%

The cost gap between these cities is 38.1%, with Sydney being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Alexandria has equivalent purchasing power to $54,310 in Sydney.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
201
Alexandria
142
Sydney
Groceries
113
Alexandria
95
Sydney
Utilities
97
Alexandria
98
Sydney
Transportation
107
Alexandria
108
Sydney
Healthcare
102
Alexandria
72
Sydney

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Alexandria has the same purchasing power as $54,310 in Sydney.

Conversely, $75,000 in Sydney equals $103,571 in Alexandria.

Living in Alexandria vs Sydney

Housing Costs

Alexandria's housing index of 201 is higher Sydney's 142, translating to median home prices of $590,000 vs $825,000. The $235,000 difference in home prices means roughly $15,276 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $2,125/mo in Alexandria compared to $2,050/mo in Sydney, a monthly difference of $75.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 113 in Alexandria and 95 in Sydney. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $537/month in Alexandria vs $451/month in Sydney. Sydney 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 98 in Sydney. Monthly utility bills average approximately $388 in Alexandria vs $392 in Sydney. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 102 in Alexandria and 72 in Sydney. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 30-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 $60,000 in Sydney. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $82,552 and $57,143 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 $1,400/month in Sydney. In Alexandria, median rent of $2,125/mo fits within this budget. In Sydney, median rent of $2,050/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 59 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Sydney is 38.1% more affordable overall with an index of 105 vs 145.
A $75,000 salary in Alexandria has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $54,310 in Sydney, based on the cost of living difference.
Alexandria's housing index is 201 with median homes at $590,000, while Sydney's is 142 with median homes at $825,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

Moving PlannersFinance BooksBudget Planners

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases