salaryRent is higher than in 81% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 5.7 years of household income. Most households rent (58%), so there are plenty of rental options. It is a highly educated city: 66.2% of adults have a college degree.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $93,160 a year. That is $45 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other Virginia cities?
No. Rent here is more expensive than in most of Virginia. It is number 125 of 199 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Alexandria?
Share of households by yearly income. 47.1% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Alexandria
| Size | Alexandria | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,868 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,988 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $2,485 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $2,811 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $3,365 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Alexandria overall?
Everyday prices in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria metro area are 9% above the U.S. average (index 108.9, 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Lawyer | $195,190 | 14.3% |
| Operations Manager | $156,460 | 17.9% |
| Software Developer | $154,930 | 18.0% |
| Pharmacist | $150,540 | 18.6% |
| Physician Assistant | $148,200 | 18.9% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $134,840 | 20.7% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $127,040 | 22.0% |
| Dental Hygienist | $119,170 | 23.5% |
| Registered Nurse | $102,710 | 27.2% |
| Accountant | $102,140 | 27.4% |
| Civil Engineer | $101,780 | 27.5% |
| Market Research Analyst | $87,160 | 32.1% |
| Police Officer | $84,000 | 33.3% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $79,470 | 35.2% |
| Electrician | $75,930 | 36.8% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $75,860 | 36.8% |
| HVAC Technician | $71,920 | 38.9% |
| Plumber | $71,860 | 38.9% |
| Firefighter | $66,980 | 41.7% |
| Carpenter | $60,800 | 46.0% |
| Truck Driver | $59,820 | 46.7% |
| Medical Assistant | $46,640 | 59.9% |
| Customer Service Representative | $46,220 | 60.5% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $46,040 | 60.7% |
| Nursing Assistant | $45,730 | 61.1% |
| Restaurant Cook | $42,920 | 65.1% |
| Warehouse Worker | $42,590 | 65.6% |
| Retail Salesperson | $36,610 | 76.3% |
| Cashier | $35,470 | 78.8% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Alexandria?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $2,772 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $735,100 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $73,510 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Alexandria, VA?
Renting in Alexandria costs a median of about $2,329 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Virginia median is $2,049.
How much do I need to make to live in Alexandria?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $93,160 a year, or $45 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Alexandria cheap or expensive?
Alexandria is rated OK: rent takes 21.7% of the typical household income of $129,076. It ranks 125th cheapest of 199 Virginia cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Alexandria?
The median homeowner in Alexandria pays $7,024 a year in property taxes, about 0.96% of the median home value.
Is Alexandria more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in the metro area are 9% above 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 $735,100, about 5.7 times the typical yearly household income.
156,976 people live in Alexandria. Numbers are typical (middle) values.