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

Riverside

California
144
VS

Alexandria

Virginia
173

Riverside is 17% cheaper than Alexandria.

$1,812/mo ↓ 11%
Median Rent
$2,031/mo ↑ 12%
$88,575/yr ↓ 22%
Median Income
$113,638/yr ↑ 28%
$542,100 ↓ 22%
Home Value
$696,800 ↑ 29%
$1,880/mo ↓ 13%
Owner Costs
$2,173/mo ↑ 16%
316,241
Population
156,788

Tax Comparison

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

Affordability

24.5%
rent-to-income
Affordability
21.4%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Riverside, CA and Alexandria, VA, the overall cost of living indices are 144 and 173 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $219/month cheaper in Riverside, saving renters about $2,628/year.

Median household income is $25,063/year higher in Alexandria. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Riverside is $542,100 compared to $696,800 in Alexandria.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Riverside vs Alexandria — common questions

Is Riverside or Alexandria cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Riverside is cheaper to live in with an index of 144 compared to 173 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Riverside and Alexandria?
Median rent in Riverside is $1,812/month and in Alexandria it's $2,031/month — a difference of $219/month.
Which city has higher income, Riverside or Alexandria?
Median household income is $88,575 in Riverside and $113,638 in Alexandria. Median household income is $25,063/year higher in Alexandria.
How do taxes compare between California and Virginia?
California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax. Virginia has 5.75% income tax, 5.3% sales tax, and 0.8% property tax.
Should I move to Riverside or Alexandria?
It depends on your priorities. Riverside has a cost index of 144 with median rent of $1,812/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 Riverside details → View Alexandria details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Riverside and Alexandria

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