Cost of Living: New York, NY vs Alexandria, VA (2026)

New York

New York
166
VS

Alexandria

Virginia
173

New York is 4% cheaper than Alexandria.

$1,779/mo ↓ 12%
Median Rent
$2,031/mo ↑ 14%
$79,713/yr ↓ 30%
Median Income
$113,638/yr ↑ 43%
$751,700 ↑ 8%
Home Value
$696,800 ↓ 7%
$1,837/mo ↓ 15%
Owner Costs
$2,173/mo ↑ 18%
8,516,202
Population
156,788

Tax Comparison

10.9%
Income Tax
5.75%
4.0%
State Sales Tax
5.3%
1.62%
Property Tax
0.8%

Affordability

26.8%
rent-to-income
Affordability
21.4%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing New York, NY and Alexandria, VA, the overall cost of living indices are 166 and 173 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $252/month cheaper in New York, saving renters about $3,024/year.

Median household income is $33,925/year higher in Alexandria. Home values also differ significantly — the median in New York is $751,700 compared to $696,800 in Alexandria.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

New York vs Alexandria — common questions

Is New York or Alexandria cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, New York is cheaper to live in with an index of 166 compared to 173 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between New York and Alexandria?
Median rent in New York is $1,779/month and in Alexandria it's $2,031/month — a difference of $252/month.
Which city has higher income, New York or Alexandria?
Median household income is $79,713 in New York and $113,638 in Alexandria. Median household income is $33,925/year higher in Alexandria.
How do taxes compare between New York and Virginia?
New York has 10.9% income tax, 4.0% sales tax, and 1.62% property tax. Virginia has 5.75% income tax, 5.3% sales tax, and 0.8% property tax.
Should I move to New York or Alexandria?
It depends on your priorities. New York has a cost index of 166 with median rent of $1,779/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 New York details → View Alexandria details →

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