Alexandria vs New York: Cost of Living Comparison
How does the cost of living in Alexandria, Virginia compare to New York, New York? Below is a side-by-side breakdown of housing costs, income, wages, and taxes using official government data.
Summary: Alexandria is the more affordable city overall. Housing costs are 10% lower in Alexandria compared to New York, while rent is 16% higher. State income tax is 5.75% in VA vs 10.9% in NY.
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | New York, NY | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | |||
| Median Home Value | $655,700 | $732,100 | -10.4% |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,983 | $1,714 | +15.7% |
| Income | |||
| Median Household Income | $113,179 | $76,607 | +47.7% |
| Per Capita Income | $75,884 | $48,066 | +57.9% |
| Taxes | |||
| State Income Tax Rate | 5.8% | 10.9% | -47.2% |
| Combined Sales Tax | 5.8% | 8.5% | -32.5% |
| Demographics | |||
| Population | 157,594 | 8,622,467 | -98.2% |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates (2022), Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey. State/local tax rates from Tax Foundation (2024).
Rent vs. Buy Calculator — Alexandria
Default home price from Census ACS median. Mortgage rate: 6.38% (Freddie Mac PMMS, March 2026). Property tax est. 1.1%, insurance est. 0.35% of home value annually.
Rent vs. Buy Calculator — New York
Default home price from Census ACS median. Mortgage rate: 6.38% (Freddie Mac PMMS, March 2026). Property tax est. 1.1%, insurance est. 0.35% of home value annually.
Key Takeaways
- Housing: The median home in Alexandria costs $655,700 compared to $732,100 in New York — a 10% discount.
- Rent: Median rent is $1,983/mo in Alexandria vs $1,714/mo in New York.
- Income: Median household income is $113,179 in Alexandria and $76,607 in New York.
- Taxes: State income tax is 5.75% in Virginia vs 10.9% in New York.
Methodology
This comparison uses data from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates (2022) for median household income, median home value, median gross rent, per capita income, and population. State and local tax rates are sourced from the Tax Foundation. Mortgage rates are from the Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey (updated weekly).