Louisiana · Census, HUD and BEA figures · Updated

Cost of Living in Alexandria, LA

Prices around Alexandria, LA run 14.3% below the U.S. average (BEA, the metro area). The typical household there earns $47,113 a year, and HUD puts a two-bedroom at $994 a month. Keeping that rent under 30% of income takes about $39,760 a year.

Alexandria, LA at a glance

Median household income

$47,113$3,926 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year
2-bedroom rent$994HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent
Price level (U.S. = 100)85.7-14.3% · BEA, the metro area
Electricity13.5¢per kWh · EIA Residential LA
Population44,060Census ACS 5-year estimate

How much rent can you afford in Alexandria, LA?

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$994Monthly market rent
Share of gross income25.3%Recommended max: 30%
Annual income needed$39,760To meet the 30% standard
Max affordable rent$1,178At 30% of $47,113
0%30% (Affordability standard)100%
Compare against:

How much is rent in Alexandria, LA? By bedroom, 2026

HUD's fiscal 2026 Fair Market Rents for Alexandria, LA MSA, with the income each one takes if rent stays under 30% of it.

HUD Fair Market Rent in Alexandria, LA, fiscal 2026
Unit SizeMonthly RentAnnual Rent30% Rule Min. Income% of Median Income
Studio / Efficiency$728$8,736$29,12018.5%
1-Bedroom Apartment$780$9,360$31,20019.9%
2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark$994$11,928$39,76025.3%
3-Bedroom Home$1,342$16,104$53,68034.2%
4-Bedroom Home$1,523$18,276$60,92038.8%

Rent in Alexandria, LA, with the wage each unit needs →

What a typical income covers in Alexandria, LA

The 50/30/20 rule applied to the local median of $47,113 a year ($3,926 a month before tax).

Needs (50%)$1,963/moRent ($994 2-BR), utilities (~$121/mo), groceries, transit
Wants (30%)$1,178/moEating out, travel, subscriptions and the rest
Savings and debt (20%)$785/moEmergency fund, retirement, paying down loans

What $47,113 leaves after Louisiana taxes

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

$47,113
$15,000$95,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$47,113
Net 83%
Fed 7%
LA 2%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$39,008After all taxes
Monthly deposit$3,251Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,500Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate17.2%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$3,474 / yr
Louisiana state income tax$1,027 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$3,604 / yr

Living in Alexandria, LA: common questions

What is the median household income in Alexandria, LA?

According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Alexandria, LA is $47,113 per year (approximately $3,926 per month).

What is the average rent in Alexandria, LA?

The closest official figure is HUD's Fair Market Rent for 2026: $728 for a studio, $780 for one bedroom, $994 for two, $1,342 for three and $1,523 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, LA expensive to live in?

Prices there run 14.3% below the U.S. average. BEA's regional price parity for the metro area is 85.7, 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, LA?

To keep a $994 two-bedroom under 30% of gross income, a household needs about $39,760 a year, or $3,313 a month. That is 84% of what the typical household in Alexandria, LA earns.

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

On the local median income of $47,113 ($3,926 a month before tax), the 50/30/20 rule leaves $1,963 a month for needs like rent, utilities and groceries, $1,178 for everything else and $785 for savings or debt. A two-bedroom at $994 takes 51% of the needs share.

How much is the electric bill in Alexandria, LA?

Homes in Louisiana paid 13.5¢ per kWh on average (EIA). At 900 kWh a month, a typical use, that is about $121. Your bill depends mostly on heating and cooling.