salaryRent is lower than in 79% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 3.6 years of household income. Commutes are short, about 17.4 minutes.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $46,000 a year. That is $22 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other Louisiana cities?
Yes. Rent here is cheaper than in most of Louisiana. It is number 50 of 102 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Alexandria?
Share of households by yearly income. 16.3% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Alexandria
| Size | Alexandria | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $915 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $819 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $990 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,215 | $1,698 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Alexandria overall?
Everyday prices in the Alexandria metro area are 14% below the U.S. average (index 85.7, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024.
Taxes and bills in Alexandria
Life in Alexandria
What jobs pay in Alexandria
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacist | $134,340 | 10.3% |
| Physician Assistant | $132,710 | 10.4% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $123,080 | 11.2% |
| Lawyer | $108,720 | 12.7% |
| Operations Manager | $98,360 | 14.0% |
| Software Developer | $95,510 | 14.4% |
| Civil Engineer | $92,290 | 15.0% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $87,760 | 15.7% |
| Registered Nurse | $81,680 | 16.9% |
| Dental Hygienist | $80,330 | 17.2% |
| Accountant | $64,530 | 21.4% |
| Plumber | $57,470 | 24.0% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $54,880 | 25.1% |
| Market Research Analyst | $53,560 | 25.8% |
| Electrician | $50,200 | 27.5% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $47,950 | 28.8% |
| Truck Driver | $47,370 | 29.1% |
| HVAC Technician | $47,330 | 29.2% |
| Carpenter | $46,760 | 29.5% |
| Police Officer | $43,980 | 31.4% |
| Firefighter | $38,010 | 36.3% |
| Customer Service Representative | $37,070 | 37.2% |
| Warehouse Worker | $36,190 | 38.1% |
| Medical Assistant | $34,290 | 40.2% |
| Nursing Assistant | $30,650 | 45.0% |
| Retail Salesperson | $28,660 | 48.2% |
| Restaurant Cook | $27,220 | 50.7% |
| Cashier | $26,250 | 52.6% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $15,080 | 91.5% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Alexandria?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $125 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $183,700 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $18,370 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Alexandria, LA?
Renting in Alexandria costs a median of about $1,150 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Louisiana median is $1,165.
How much do I need to make to live in Alexandria?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $46,000 a year, or $22 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Alexandria cheap or expensive?
Alexandria is rated OK: rent takes 27.2% of the typical household income of $50,811. It ranks 50th cheapest of 102 Louisiana cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Alexandria?
The median homeowner in Alexandria pays $898 a year in property taxes, about 0.49% of the median home value.
Is Alexandria more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in the metro area are 14% below the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Alexandria?
The median home value in Alexandria is $183,700, about 3.6 times the typical yearly household income.
44,060 people live in Alexandria. Numbers are typical (middle) values.