Median rent is 11% lower in Alexandria ($2,089/mo vs $2,352/mo). Buying is cheaper in Alexandria, where the median home runs $735,100 versus $755,200. Households earn more in Folsom ($139,804 vs $119,681 a year). Taken together, Folsom is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 109.1 against 109.5 — about 0% lower overall prices. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in Folsom, CA.
City A
Alexandria, VA
City B
Folsom, CA
How much would you need to earn in Folsom, CA to maintain your standard of living from Alexandria, VA?
Equivalent salary in Folsom, CA
$74,691
You could earn $309 less (0% lower) and break even.
Based on BEA Regional Price Parity (cost index) for each metro area. This estimates overall purchasing power; it does not account for taxes or take-home pay differences.
Metric
Alexandria
Virginia
Folsom
California
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: Census ACS, BEA, HUD Fair Market Rents, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation
Median rent is modestly lower in Alexandria at $2,089/mo compared to $2,352/mo in Folsom (11% gap). Median home values are within 3% of each other: $735,100 in Alexandria and $755,200 in Folsom.
Metric
Alexandria
Folsom
Software Developer
Registered Nurse
Elementary Teacher
Electrician
Accountant
Higher wage highlighted · 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
Folsom
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Air quality data is available for Alexandria (avg AQI 24.0) but not yet for Folsom.
Pick Folsom if you prioritize higher median household income ($139,804/yr).
Pick Alexandria if you prioritize cheaper rent ($2,089/mo median).
Folsom is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 109.1 versus 109.5 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 0% lower in Folsom.
Median rent is $2,089/mo in Alexandria, VA and $2,352/mo in Folsom, CA. Alexandria, VA has the lower rent by about 11%.
Median household income is $119,681 in Alexandria, VA and $139,804 in Folsom, CA. Folsom, CA has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
Air quality data is not yet available for one or both cities.
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Alexandria, VA is equivalent to roughly $99,587 in Folsom, CA (using the BEA Regional Price Parity ratio). Use the salary calculator above for any income amount.
Data last updated: June 1, 2026 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology
