Virginia · Census, HUD and BEA figures · Updated

Cost of Living in Alexandria city, VA

Prices around Alexandria city, VA run 8.9% above the U.S. average (BEA, the metro area). The typical household there earns $119,681 a year, and HUD puts a two-bedroom at $2,246 a month. Keeping that rent under 30% of income takes about $89,840 a year.

Alexandria city, VA at a glance

Median household income

$119,681$9,973 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year
2-bedroom rent$2,246HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent
Price level (U.S. = 100)108.9+8.9% · BEA, the metro area
Electricity17.2¢per kWh · EIA Residential VA
Population156,976Census ACS 5-year estimate

How much rent can you afford in Alexandria city, VA?

HUD’s fair market rent for each size, against what a typical household here earns. Change the income to see yours.

Affordable (< 30% of income)
HUD Fair Market Rent$2,246Monthly market rent
Share of gross income22.5%Recommended max: 30%
Annual income needed$89,840To meet the 30% standard
Max affordable rent$2,992At 30% of $119,681
0%30% (Affordability standard)100%
Compare against:

How much is rent in Alexandria city, VA? By bedroom, 2026

HUD's fiscal 2026 Fair Market Rents for Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD HUD Metro FMR Area, with the income each one takes if rent stays under 30% of it.

HUD Fair Market Rent in Alexandria city, VA, fiscal 2026
Unit SizeMonthly RentAnnual Rent30% Rule Min. Income% of Median Income
Studio / Efficiency$1,953$23,436$78,12019.6%
1-Bedroom Apartment$2,015$24,180$80,60020.2%
2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark$2,246$26,952$89,84022.5%
3-Bedroom Home$2,835$34,020$113,40028.4%
4-Bedroom Home$3,332$39,984$133,28033.4%

Rent in Alexandria city, VA, with the wage each unit needs →

What a typical income covers in Alexandria city, VA

The 50/30/20 rule applied to the local median of $119,681 a year ($9,973 a month before tax).

Needs (50%)$4,987/moRent ($2,246 2-BR), utilities (~$155/mo), groceries, transit
Wants (30%)$2,992/moEating out, travel, subscriptions and the rest
Savings and debt (20%)$1,995/moEmergency fund, retirement, paying down loans

What $119,681 leaves after Virginia taxes

Federal income tax, Social Security, Medicare and Virginia tax on the local median income. Change the salary to see yours.

$119,681
$45,000$240,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$119,681
Net 73%
Fed 15%
VA 5%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$86,958After all taxes
Monthly deposit$7,247Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$3,345Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate27.3%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$17,500 / yr
Virginia state income tax$6,068 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$9,156 / yr

Living in Alexandria city, VA: common questions

What is the median household income in Alexandria city, VA?

According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Alexandria city, VA is $119,681 per year (approximately $9,973 per month).

What is the average rent in Alexandria city, VA?

The closest official figure is HUD's Fair Market Rent for 2026: $1,953 for a studio, $2,015 for one bedroom, $2,246 for two, $2,835 for three and $3,332 for four, utilities included.

It is not an average of listings. HUD sets it at the rent 40% of recent movers paid or less for a standard unit, so a new lease on a nicer place will usually cost more.

Is Alexandria city, VA expensive to live in?

Prices there run 8.9% above the U.S. average. BEA's regional price parity for the metro area is 108.9, where the U.S. is 100. Rent moves the number most: housing is where places differ, while goods cost about the same everywhere.

How much do you need to earn to comfortably afford rent in Alexandria city, VA?

To keep a $2,246 two-bedroom under 30% of gross income, a household needs about $89,840 a year, or $7,487 a month. That is 75% of what the typical household in Alexandria city, VA earns.

How much do you need to live comfortably in Alexandria city, VA?

On the local median income of $119,681 ($9,973 a month before tax), the 50/30/20 rule leaves $4,987 a month for needs like rent, utilities and groceries, $2,992 for everything else and $1,995 for savings or debt. A two-bedroom at $2,246 takes 45% of the needs share.

How much is the electric bill in Alexandria city, VA?

Homes in Virginia paid 17.2¢ per kWh on average (EIA). At 900 kWh a month, a typical use, that is about $155. Your bill depends mostly on heating and cooling.