Median rent is 3% lower in Alexandria ($2,089/mo vs $2,147/mo). Buying is cheaper in Boston, where the median home runs $731,700 versus $735,100. Households earn more in Alexandria ($119,681 vs $97,344 a year). Taken together, Alexandria is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 109.5 against 110.4 — about 1% lower overall prices. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in Alexandria, VA.
Quick verdict
Alexandria is 1% cheaper overall
Cost index: 109.5 in Alexandria vs 110.4 in Boston (US average = 100)
City A
Alexandria, VA
City B
Boston, MA
How much would you need to earn in Boston, MA to maintain your standard of living from Alexandria, VA?
Equivalent salary in Boston, MA
$75,582
You'd need $582 more (1% higher).
Based on BEA Regional Price Parity (cost index) for each city's metro area. A rough estimate of overall purchasing power, not tax or take-home pay.
Metric
Alexandria
Virginia
Boston
Massachusetts
👥Population
💰Median Household Income
Annual
🏠Median Gross Rent
Per month
🏡Median Home Value
📊Cost of Living Index
US avg = 100
🔑1BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🔑2BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🔑3BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🌬️Air Quality Index
Lower = cleaner
🏛️Top State Income Tax
Top marginal rate
🧾State Sales Tax
Statewide base rate
🎂Median Age
Years
✓ = better value · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation
Median rents are similar in both cities: $2,089/mo in Alexandria and $2,147/mo in Boston. Median home values are within 0% of each other: $735,100 in Alexandria and $731,700 in Boston.
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
State tax data is not yet available for these cities.
Alexandria
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Boston
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Alexandria has cleaner air on average: 24.0 AQI (Good) compared to 31.0 AQI (Good) in the other city. Lower AQI means cleaner, healthier air.
Pick Alexandria if you prioritize higher median household income ($119,681/yr).
Pick Alexandria if you prioritize cleaner air quality (avg AQI 24.0).
Is Alexandria cheaper than Boston?
Alexandria is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 109.5 versus 110.4 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 1% lower in Alexandria.
How much is rent in Alexandria vs Boston?
Median rent is $2,089/mo in Alexandria, VA and $2,147/mo in Boston, MA. Alexandria, VA has the lower rent by about 3%.
Which has higher salaries — Alexandria or Boston?
Median household income is $119,681 in Alexandria, VA and $97,344 in Boston, MA. Alexandria, VA has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
Which city has better air quality?
Alexandria, VA has better air quality on average: 24.0 AQI versus 31.0 AQI. Both are EPA AirNow annual averages; lower is better.
Which has lower taxes — Alexandria or Boston?
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
What salary do I need in Boston to match my Alexandria income?
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Alexandria, VA is equivalent to roughly $100,776 in Boston, MA (using the BEA Regional Price Parity ratio). Use the salary calculator above for any income amount.
Data last updated: December 1, 2026 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology
