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

San Jose

California
254
VS

Alexandria

Virginia
173

San Jose is 47% more expensive than Alexandria.

$2,617/mo ↑ 29%
Median Rent
$2,031/mo ↓ 22%
$141,565/yr ↑ 25%
Median Income
$113,638/yr ↓ 20%
$1,187,800 ↑ 70%
Home Value
$696,800 ↓ 41%
$2,775/mo ↑ 28%
Owner Costs
$2,173/mo ↓ 22%
990,054
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

22.2%
rent-to-income
Affordability
21.4%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing San Jose, CA and Alexandria, VA, the overall cost of living indices are 254 and 173 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $586/month cheaper in Alexandria, saving renters about $7,032/year.

Median household income is $27,927/year higher in San Jose. Home values also differ significantly — the median in San Jose is $1,187,800 compared to $696,800 in Alexandria.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

San Jose vs Alexandria — common questions

Is San Jose or Alexandria cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Alexandria is cheaper to live in with an index of 173 compared to 254 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between San Jose and Alexandria?
Median rent in San Jose is $2,617/month and in Alexandria it's $2,031/month — a difference of $586/month.
Which city has higher income, San Jose or Alexandria?
Median household income is $141,565 in San Jose and $113,638 in Alexandria. Median household income is $27,927/year higher in San Jose.
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 San Jose or Alexandria?
It depends on your priorities. San Jose has a cost index of 254 with median rent of $2,617/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 San Jose details → View Alexandria details →

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