Cost of Living: Alexandria, VA vs Visalia, CA (2026)

Alexandria

Virginia
173
VS

Visalia

California
104

Alexandria is 69% more expensive than Visalia.

$2,031/mo ↑ 45%
Median Rent
$1,397/mo ↓ 31%
$113,638/yr ↑ 42%
Median Income
$79,952/yr ↓ 30%
$696,800 ↑ 105%
Home Value
$340,600 ↓ 51%
$2,173/mo ↑ 44%
Owner Costs
$1,509/mo ↓ 31%
156,788
Population
142,649

Tax Comparison

5.75%
Income Tax
13.3%
5.3%
Sales Tax
7.25%
0.8%
Property Tax
0.71%

Affordability

21.4%
rent-to-income
Affordability
21.0%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Alexandria, VA and Visalia, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 173 and 104 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $634/month cheaper in Visalia, saving renters about $7,608/year.

Median household income is $33,686/year higher in Alexandria. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Alexandria is $696,800 compared to $340,600 in Visalia.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Alexandria vs Visalia — common questions

Is Alexandria or Visalia cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Visalia is cheaper to live in with an index of 104 compared to 173 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Alexandria and Visalia?
Median rent in Alexandria is $2,031/month and in Visalia it's $1,397/month — a difference of $634/month.
Which city has higher income, Alexandria or Visalia?
Median household income is $113,638 in Alexandria and $79,952 in Visalia. Median household income is $33,686/year higher in Alexandria.
How do taxes compare between Virginia and California?
Virginia has 5.75% income tax, 5.3% sales tax, and 0.8% property tax. California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax.
Should I move to Alexandria or Visalia?
It depends on your priorities. Alexandria has a cost index of 173 with median rent of $2,031/mo, while Visalia has a cost index of 104 with rent of $1,397/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Alexandria details → View Visalia details →