Alexandria, LA vs Ruston, LA

Alexandria, LA and Ruston, LA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 1.7% difference in their overall index. Alexandria scores 74 while Ruston scores 73 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Alexandria is $946/month compared to $819/month in Ruston — a 16% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Ruston has cheaper rent, Alexandria actually has lower median home values ($182,800 vs $226,700).

Median household income in Alexandria is $47,357 compared to $32,765 in Ruston (+44.5%). While Alexandria is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Alexandria spend roughly 24% of their income on rent, less than the 30% in Ruston.