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Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV

Cost of living in Alexandria city, VA

Part of the Washington Metro Area

Estimated monthly cost
$4,858/mo
for a single person, all categories combined

Population 156,788 · Last updated May 21, 2026

Cost breakdown

Single person, by category, per month.

Rent $2,056 42%
Federal tax $1,130 23%
Healthcare $480 10%
Groceries $355 7%
State tax $330 7%
Transport $250 5%
Energy $202 4%
Water $55 1%

Rent in Alexandria city

Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Studio
$2,012
per month
1 bedroom
$2,056
per month
2 bedroom
$2,314
per month
3 bedroom
$2,893
per month
4 bedroom
$3,413
per month

Source: HUD FMR FY2025

Income and earnings in Alexandria city

Annual earnings figures from the Census ACS.

Household income
$113,638
per year
Individual earnings
$73,247
per year
Per capita
$77,935
per year

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year.

Home values in Alexandria city

Average values reported by homeowners.

Average home value
$696,800
Annual property tax
$6,879

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year

Energy costs in Alexandria city

Estimated monthly electricity and gas costs.

Electricity
$153
per month · 14.6¢/kWh
Natural gas
$49
per month
Annual total
$2,424
per year

Source: EIA

Healthcare in Alexandria city

Insurance premiums and coverage rates.

Individual premium
$480
per month
Family premium
$1,350
per month
Uninsured rate
8.7%

Source: ACS + national avg. Marketplace benchmark premiums are second-lowest Silver plan estimates and do not reflect employer plans, subsidies, or out-of-pocket costs. This is not healthcare advice.

Taxes in Alexandria city

State and local tax rates for Virginia.

State income tax
5.8%
Top marginal rate
State sales tax
5.3%
Combined sales tax
5.8%
incl. average local

Tax rates change. Consult a qualified tax professional for advice on your specific situation. This is not tax advice.

Transportation in Alexandria city

Commute patterns and estimated costs.

Average commute
29.3 min
Drive alone
50.2%
Public transit
12.7%
Work from home
25.2%

Source: ACS

Monthly cost estimates for Alexandria city

What it costs to live in Alexandria city each month.

Single person
$4,858
per month
  • Rent $2,056
  • Energy $202
  • Water $55
  • Groceries $355
  • Transport $250
  • Healthcare $480
  • Federal tax $1,130
  • State tax $330
Couple
$6,476
per month
  • Rent $2,314
  • Energy $242
  • Water $65
  • Groceries $588
  • Transport $350
  • Healthcare $864
  • Federal tax $1,530
  • State tax $523
Family
$9,217
per month
  • Rent $2,893
  • Energy $303
  • Water $75
  • Groceries $893
  • Transport $450
  • Healthcare $1,350
  • Childcare $1,200
  • Federal tax $1,530
  • State tax $523

Frequently asked questions about Alexandria city

Common questions about cost of living, rent and salary.

What is the average rent in Alexandria city?

In Alexandria city, VA, a one-bedroom apartment averages $2,056 per month, a two-bedroom averages $2,314 per month, a three-bedroom averages $2,893 per month, according to HUD Fair Market Rent data.

What is the average salary in Alexandria city?

In Alexandria city, VA, the average household income is $113,638 per year and individual earnings for full-time workers average $73,247 per year, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

What is the cost of living in Alexandria city?

The estimated cost of living in Alexandria city, VA is approximately $4,858 per month for a single person, $6,476 for a couple, $9,217 for a family. This includes rent, utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, and taxes.

What is the sales tax rate in Alexandria city?

The combined sales tax rate in Alexandria city, VA is 5.75%, which includes the Virginia state rate of 5.30% plus an average local rate of 0.45%.

Is Alexandria city an affordable place to live?

Based on the data, a single person in Alexandria city, VA would need approximately $4,858 per month to cover rent, utilities, food, transport, healthcare, and taxes. The average household income is $113,638 per year ($9,470 per month). Alexandria city has a moderate cost of living relative to local earnings.

How much does healthcare cost in Alexandria city?

The ACA marketplace benchmark premium in Alexandria city, VA is approximately $480 per month for an individual. Approximately 8.7% of residents are uninsured. Actual costs vary based on employer coverage, plan type, and individual circumstances.

What are house prices in Alexandria city?

The average home value in Alexandria city, VA is $696,800, with average annual property taxes of $6,879, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

How does Alexandria city compare to other areas?

You can compare Alexandria city, VA with any other US county using our comparison tool at /compare. Alexandria city is in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area.

Other counties in Virginia

Browse the full list of counties in Virginia, ranked by cost of living.

See all counties in Virginia

Compare Alexandria city with another area

Put two counties side by side to see how rent, taxes and everyday costs stack up.

About this data

All figures on this page come from official U.S. government sources, listed below.

  • HUD FMR FY2025
  • ACS 2019-2023 5-Year
  • EIA
  • ACS + national avg
  • ACS
  • USDA + BEA RPP
Methodology All data sources