Alexandria, VA vs Arlington, VA

Alexandria is moderately more affordable than Arlington, with a 11.9% lower cost of living index. Alexandria scores 157 compared to 178 for Arlington, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Arlington can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Alexandria is $2,031/month compared to $2,275/month in Arlington — a 11% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Alexandria is more affordable at $696,800 median vs $864,800.

Median household income in Alexandria is $113,638 compared to $140,160 in Arlington (-18.9%). While Arlington 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 21.4% of their income on rent, more than the 19.5% in Arlington.