Cost of Living: Austin, TX vs Alexandria, VA (2026)

Austin

Texas
134
VS

Alexandria

Virginia
173

Austin is 23% cheaper than Alexandria.

$1,655/mo ↓ 19%
Median Rent
$2,031/mo ↑ 23%
$91,461/yr ↓ 20%
Median Income
$113,638/yr ↑ 24%
$512,700 ↓ 26%
Home Value
$696,800 ↑ 36%
$1,747/mo ↓ 20%
Owner Costs
$2,173/mo ↑ 24%
967,862
Population
156,788

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
5.75%
6.25%
State Sales Tax
5.3%
1.6%
Property Tax
0.8%

Affordability

21.7%
rent-to-income
Affordability
21.4%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Austin, TX and Alexandria, VA, the overall cost of living indices are 134 and 173 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $376/month cheaper in Austin, saving renters about $4,512/year.

Median household income is $22,177/year higher in Alexandria. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Austin is $512,700 compared to $696,800 in Alexandria.

Texas has no state income tax, giving Austin residents a significant tax advantage over Virginia's 5.75% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Austin vs Alexandria — common questions

Is Austin or Alexandria cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Austin is cheaper to live in with an index of 134 compared to 173 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Austin and Alexandria?
Median rent in Austin is $1,655/month and in Alexandria it's $2,031/month — a difference of $376/month.
Which city has higher income, Austin or Alexandria?
Median household income is $91,461 in Austin and $113,638 in Alexandria. Median household income is $22,177/year higher in Alexandria.
How do taxes compare between Texas and Virginia?
Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax. Virginia has 5.75% income tax, 5.3% sales tax, and 0.8% property tax.
Should I move to Austin or Alexandria?
It depends on your priorities. Austin has a cost index of 134 with median rent of $1,655/mo, while Alexandria has a cost index of 173 with rent of $2,031/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Austin details → View Alexandria details →

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