Cost of Living: Alexandria, VA vs Stamford, CT (2026)

Alexandria

Virginia
173
VS

Stamford

Connecticut
172

Alexandria and Stamford have a similar cost of living.

$2,031/mo ↓ 8%
Median Rent
$2,207/mo ↑ 9%
$113,638/yr ↑ 6%
Median Income
$107,474/yr ↓ 5%
$696,800 ↑ 13%
Home Value
$614,300 ↓ 12%
$2,173/mo ↓ 8%
Owner Costs
$2,358/mo ↑ 9%
156,788
Population
135,806

Tax Comparison

5.75%
Income Tax
6.99%
5.3%
Sales Tax
6.35%
0.8%
Property Tax
2.15%

Affordability

21.4%
rent-to-income
Affordability
24.6%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Alexandria, VA and Stamford, CT, the overall cost of living indices are 173 and 172 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $176/month cheaper in Alexandria, saving renters about $2,112/year.

Median household income is $6,164/year higher in Alexandria. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Alexandria is $696,800 compared to $614,300 in Stamford.

Virginia has a lower income tax rate, making Alexandria slightly more tax-friendly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Alexandria vs Stamford — common questions

Is Alexandria or Stamford cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Stamford is cheaper to live in with an index of 172 compared to 173 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Alexandria and Stamford?
Median rent in Alexandria is $2,031/month and in Stamford it's $2,207/month — a difference of $176/month.
Which city has higher income, Alexandria or Stamford?
Median household income is $113,638 in Alexandria and $107,474 in Stamford. Median household income is $6,164/year higher in Alexandria.
How do taxes compare between Virginia and Connecticut?
Virginia has 5.75% income tax, 5.3% sales tax, and 0.8% property tax. Connecticut has 6.99% income tax, 6.35% sales tax, and 2.15% property tax.
Should I move to Alexandria or Stamford?
It depends on your priorities. Alexandria has a cost index of 173 with median rent of $2,031/mo, while Stamford has a cost index of 172 with rent of $2,207/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
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