Cost of Living in Alexandria, VA - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $1,300 (excluding rent), and $3,340 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $2,731 (excluding rent), and $5,898 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$19.9 $19.9

$10.95 $10.95

$44.78 $44.78

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$79.6 $79.6

$49.73 $49.73

$149 $149

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$9.81 $9.81

$14.72 $14.72

Cappuccino

$5.05 $5.05

$3.51 $3.51

$10.04 $10.04

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.4 $2.4

$1.51 $1.51

$4.74 $4.74

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.18 $2.18

$1.52 $1.52

$6.06 $6.06

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$6.14 $6.14

$4.09 $4.09

$7.67 $7.67

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$7.35 $7.35

$4.9 $4.9

$11.77 $11.77

Milk (1 liter)

$1.01 $1.01

$0.52 $0.52

$1.46 $1.46

White Bread (500g)

$3.52 $3.52

$1.09 $1.09

$4.78 $4.78

Rice (white) (1kg)

$6.18 $6.18

$2.18 $2.18

$7.84 $7.84

Eggs

$4.83 $4.83

$1.47 $1.47

$8.84 $8.84

Local Cheese (1kg)

$18.69 $18.69

$6.98 $6.98

$22 $22

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$10.26 $10.26

$4.52 $4.52

$24.97 $24.97

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$15.74 $15.74

$8.65 $8.65

$33.5 $33.5

Apples (1kg)

$6.97 $6.97

$2.23 $2.23

$11.15 $11.15

Banana (1kg)

$1.82 $1.82

$1.1 $1.1

$4.49 $4.49

Oranges (1kg)

$7.3 $7.3

$2.22 $2.22

$11.22 $11.22

Tomato (1kg)

$6.8 $6.8

$2.26 $2.26

$7.95 $7.95

Potato (1kg)

$3.59 $3.59

$1.91 $1.91

$5.63 $5.63

Onion (1kg)

$2.9 $2.9

$1.29 $1.29

$4.33 $4.33

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.49 $2.49

$1 $1

$3.03 $3.03

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.72 $2.72

$1.01 $1.01

$5.04 $5.04

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$8.21 $8.21

$5.13 $5.13

$15.39 $15.39

Wine (Bottle)

$16.46 $16.46

$8.48 $8.48

$24.94 $24.94

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.75 $1.75

$4.04 $4.04

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.64 $3.64

$1.6 $1.6

$6.74 $6.74

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.91 $2.91

$1.94 $1.94

$5.83 $5.83

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$81.4 $81.4

$25.44 $25.44

$91.6 $91.6

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.77 $1.77

$5.9 $5.9

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.35 $1.35

$2 $2

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$23.73 $23.73

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.89 $0.89

$0.8 $0.8

$1.08 $1.08

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$25K $25K

$22.7K $22.7K

$32.6K $32.6K

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$24.7K $24.7K

$23.1K $23.1K

$26.2K $26.2K

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$174 $174

$90.7 $90.7

$453 $453

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$51.9 $51.9

$24.55 $24.55

$124 $124

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$67.7 $67.7

$40.4 $40.4

$141 $141

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$71.9 $71.9

$19.82 $19.82

$129 $129

Cinema Ticket

$14.92 $14.92

$12.93 $12.93

$22.87 $22.87

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$1,289 $1,289

$960 $960

$2,527 $2,527

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$23.9K $23.9K

$34.1K $34.1K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$50.5 $50.5

$29.46 $29.46

$78.6 $78.6

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$47.42 $47.42

$24.53 $24.53

$78.5 $78.5

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$96.3 $96.3

$59.6 $59.6

$128 $128

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$111 $111

$59.8 $59.8

$158 $158

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,325 $2,325

$1,968 $1,968

$2,706 $2,706

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,946 $1,946

$1,679 $1,679

$2,341 $2,341

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$3,480 $3,480

$3,181 $3,181

$3,778 $3,778

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,809 $2,809

$2,379 $2,379

$3,172 $3,172

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$4,016 $4,016

$3,337 $3,337

$6,738 $6,738

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$3,743 $3,743

$3,293 $3,293

$5,792 $5,792

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$5,982 $5,982

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.57

6.19

Citycost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update: November 24, 2025

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

City tags:

🌎 North america

Cost of Living in Alexandria, VA - Frequently Asked Questions

Cost of Living in Alexandria, VA, United States sits in a mid-range tier for the region, with solid value if you pick the right district and housing type. You get easy access to Washington, DC, but a more neighborhood-focused vibe, walkable streets, and reliable services. In practice, those who value safety, historic charm, and shorter commutes often find the overall balance favorable, especially when you combine flexible housing – like shared apartments or smaller rentals – with off-peak scouting for spaces. Public transit links keep options broad without the high downtown premium. Tip: Map a few neighborhood pockets and test a longer stay to measure value against your rhythm.

Alexandria, VA, United States living cost varies by neighborhood, with Old Town and waterfront areas tending to feel pricier than more residential corners like West End or Del Ray. Housing search favors short- to mid-term options to test fit, and many nomads pair a smaller rental with flexible coworking. Food scene ranges from farmers markets and bakeries to diverse international groceries, letting you prepare meals cheaply if you budget time for cooking. Transit is straightforward: a quick ride to DC via rail or bus, plus bike lanes and walkability. For errands, you’ll find well-stocked markets within easy reach in most neighborhoods. Tip: Try visiting different times of day to see traffic and crowd levels before committing.

A simple budgeting framework helps keep costs predictable: track housing, meals, transport, and leisure separately, then adjust as needed. Seasonality affects comfort and options – hot summers with humidity, cool winters requiring heating, busy festival seasons that bring crowds and pricing shifts. To find a good neighborhood fit, test areas by walking, consider proximity to transit, parks, and coworking, and balance nightlife with quiet evenings. Compare Del Ray’s laid-back vibe to Old Town’s historic density or West End’s newer developments, and choose a base that aligns with your work hours and social life. Tip: set a flexible monthly cap for discretionary spends and revisit it after a 4-week trial in a chosen neighborhood.