Cost of Living Comparison Between New York, NY and Alexandria, VA Cost of Living Comparison Between New York, NY and Alexandria, VA

😐 Solo nomad: New York, NY is 36.3% more expensive than Alexandria, VA without rent, and 32.4% more expensive with rent.
😐 Family of 3: New York, NY is 47% more expensive than Alexandria, VA without rent, and 64.1% more expensive with rent.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
New York, NY
Alexandria, VA
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$29.68 $29.68
$20.12 $20.12
47.51%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$144 $144
$80.8 $80.8
78.40%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$12.43 $12.43
$9.82 $9.82
26.58%
Cappuccino
$5.84 $5.84
$4.88 $4.88
19.67%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.26 $3.26
$2.42 $2.42
34.71%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.58 $2.58
$2.11 $2.11
22.27%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$8.24 $8.24
$5.87 $5.87
40.37%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$11.86 $11.86
$7.61 $7.61
55.85%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
New York, NY
Alexandria, VA
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.56 $1.56
$1.01 $1.01
54.46%
White Bread (500g)
$5.23 $5.23
$3.59 $3.59
45.68%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$8.11 $8.11
$5.93 $5.93
36.76%
Eggs
$7.25 $7.25
$5.03 $5.03
44.14%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$17.08 $17.08
$18.76 $18.76
-8.96%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$16.24 $16.24
$10.06 $10.06
61.43%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$20.02 $20.02
$15.81 $15.81
26.63%
Apples (1kg)
$7.49 $7.49
$6.92 $6.92
8.24%
Banana (1kg)
$2.55 $2.55
$1.84 $1.84
38.59%
Oranges (1kg)
$5.82 $5.82
$7.08 $7.08
-17.80%
Tomato (1kg)
$6.52 $6.52
$6.76 $6.76
-3.55%
Potato (1kg)
$3.72 $3.72
$3.57 $3.57
4.20%
Onion (1kg)
$3.9 $3.9
$2.98 $2.98
30.87%
Lettuce (1 head)
$3.07 $3.07
$2.49 $2.49
23.29%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.57 $2.57
$2.67 $2.67
-3.75%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$19.21 $19.21
$8.02 $8.02
139.53%
Wine (Bottle)
$17.79 $17.79
$14.31 $14.31
24.32%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$3.01 $3.01
$1.77 $1.77
70.06%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.72 $3.72
$3.66 $3.66
1.64%
🚌 Getting Around
New York, NY
Alexandria, VA
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$2.92 $2.92
$3.05 $3.05
-4.26%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$134 $134
$78.4 $78.4
70.89%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$5.13 $5.13
$1.75 $1.75
193.14%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$2.15 $2.15
$1.41 $1.41
52.48%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$41.57 $41.57
$23.76 $23.76
74.96%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.95 $0.95
$0.88 $0.88
7.95%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$35K $35K
$25.7K $25.7K
36.51%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$27.7K $27.7K
$24.7K $24.7K
11.97%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
New York, NY
Alexandria, VA
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$179 $179
$175 $175
2.32%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$60 $60
$52.7 $52.7
13.90%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$63.8 $63.8
$66.4 $66.4
-3.88%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
New York, NY
Alexandria, VA
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$141 $141
$72.6 $72.6
93.71%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$63.9 $63.9
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$19.9 $19.9
$14.77 $14.77
34.73%
🧸 Childcare & Education
New York, NY
Alexandria, VA
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$3,206 $3,206
$1,299 $1,299
146.76%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$56.5K $56.5K
$24.3K $24.3K
132.36%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
New York, NY
Alexandria, VA
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$65.7 $65.7
$51.4 $51.4
27.94%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$48.75 $48.75
$47.78 $47.78
2.03%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$111 $111
$97.5 $97.5
14.01%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$172 $172
$111 $111
55.21%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
New York, NY
Alexandria, VA
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$4,165 $4,165
$2,324 $2,324
79.25%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$2,653 $2,653
$1,891 $1,891
40.30%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$8,412 $8,412
$3,568 $3,568
135.75%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$5,277 $5,277
$2,874 $2,874
83.59%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$15.6K $15.6K
$4,334 $4,334
260.42%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$11.2K $11.2K
$3,913 $3,913
185.15%
💵 Salaries & Financials
New York, NY
Alexandria, VA
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$5,616 $5,616
$6,138 $6,138
-8.51%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.44
6.57
-1.98%

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

Last update for New York, NY: October 28, 2025

Last update for Alexandria, VA: October 29, 2025

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