Cost of Living in Alexandria, VA

Alexandria is about 39% more expensive than the national average.

What Things Cost

Compared to the US average (100)

Renting
Census ACS 2024
▲ 54%
Buying
Census ACS 2024
▲ 71%
Goods
BEA RPP 2023
▲ 6%
Services
BEA RPP 2023
▲ 52%

Alexandria at a Glance

Median rent$2,110/mo
Median home price$704,200
Median household income$124,593
State income taxUp to 5.75%
Combined sales tax6%
Effective property tax1.03%

On the median income of $124,593, state income tax is roughly $7,164/year.

Sources: Census ACS 2024, Tax Foundation.

Alexandria is the historic Virginia city across the Potomac from Washington, DC, with a cobblestone Old Town dating to 1749. The Metro connects to the entire DC area. Amazon's HQ2 nearby has intensified development.

How People Get Around

Source: Census ACS 2024.

Drive alone48.5%
Public transit14.4%
Carpool5.4%
Work from home24.7%
Walk3.6%

Who Lives Here

Source: Census ACS 2024.

Population159,102
Median age37
College degree or higher69.4%
Homeowners43.2%
Renters56.8%
Foreign born24.4%
Vacancy rate3.2%

Why People Move to Alexandria

Old Town is one of the most charming walkable neighborhoods in America: cobblestones, boutiques on King Street, waterfront restaurants. Metro provides car-free DC access. Mount Vernon Trail runs 18 miles along the Potomac.

Neighborhoods

Old Town is the historic waterfront district. Del Ray has a main-street feel along Mount Vernon Avenue. Rosemont is quiet near the Metro. Potomac Yard is being redeveloped.

Things to Consider

High cost of entry: $625K median home. Old Town floods during storms. Parking is limited. Amazon HQ2 has pushed prices higher. The city is only 15 square miles.

Compare Alexandria To...

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Sources: Housing from Census ACS 2024. Goods and services from BEA Regional Price Parities 2023 (Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV). Taxes from Tax Foundation. Demographics from Census ACS 2024. Full disclaimer.

Frequently Asked Questions About Alexandria

Exceptionally. King Street runs from Metro to the Waterfront with restaurants, shops, and galleries. One of the most walkable neighborhoods in the DC metro, rivaling Georgetown.

15 minutes by Metro from King Street station to Metro Center. The Pentagon is one stop away. Many residents commute daily by Metro.

HQ2 is technically in Arlington but proximity has raised housing costs and increased development pressure throughout Alexandria.