Alexandria's 2026 cost of living is $2239 per month for singles and $4930 per month for families of four.
Living costs in Alexandria are 10% lower than the U.S. national average and 36% higher than Louisiana's state average.
This reflects a 1% increase from 2025.
The primary drivers of Alexandria's cost of living are soaring housing costs, elevated transportation expenses, and rising food prices.
See how Alexandria's cost of living affects your budget or salary needs with Salary.com's free Cost of Living Calculator.
Cost of Living Calculator
How does Alexandria's cost of living compare to the national average in 2026?
Living in Alexandria is less expensive than the national average,
with housing costs 24.4 % lower at $907
per month for a single person and $1663 per month for a family of four.
Food expenses run 11.5 %
above average at $446
monthly for an individual and $1450 for a family,
while energy, transportation and healthcare costs are 15.4 % lower at about $740 per month
for one person and $1636 for a household.
These costs bring the total monthly expenses to $2093
for a single person and $4749 for a family of four,
making Alexandria one of America's least expensive cities.
How does the cost of living compare when moving from other major cities to Alexandria?
Alexandria's 2025 cost of living is 109% lower than San Francisco,
58% less than Washington, 30% below Miami
, 24% lower than Chicago, 69% less than Boston
, and 93% below New York.
Essential for evaluating relocation costs and salary needs in Alexandria.
Alexandria is the ninth-largest city in the state of Louisiana and is the parish seat of Rapides Parish, Louisiana, United States. It lies on the south bank of the Red River in almost the exact geographic center of the state. It is the principal city of the Alexandria metropolitan area (population 153,922) which encompasses all of Rapides and Grant parishes. Its neighboring city is Pineville. In 2010, the population was 47,723, an increase of 3 percent from the 2000 census....
Source: Wikipedia (as of 04/11/2019). Read more from Wikipedia
Comments about the cost of living in Alexandria, LA
What stores are known for lower grocery prices?
Stores like WinCo Foods are known to offer low prices. Shopping there can considerably reduce cost of living, as the prices in grocery stores can vary a lot. (2026-08-26salary.com)
I love to go to sports events, what does Alexandria, Louisiana have to offer?
Alexandria, LA does not have a major sports team, but don’t worry, check out local colleges and high school sports schedules. These games usually have very cheap tickets and the spirit and enthusiasm of the crowd often makes up for the level of skill. (2026-08-26salary.com)
Are there any good ways to save money on Cable TV and internet service in Alexandria, LA?
The average cost of internet access in the U.S. is $66.20 per month. There are many providers and various packages that are offered, many that bundle internet, cable, and phone together. Pricing for various packages can vary a lot even in the same location. You should evaluate the options based on your usage and preferences and pick the best fit for your needs. One tip to reduce this cost and your overall cost of living, is to get cable service from another source like Direct TV, Netflix, Sling, Amazon Prime or others. (2026-08-26salary.com)
I need to understand how to budget for energy, is the cost electricity going up or down in Alexandria, Louisiana?
The cost of electricity in Louisiana has gone down by 8.047% in the past year. It is possible that electric rates may fluctuate depending on consumption rates, government regulations and even the weather. (2026-08-26salary.com)
What kind of child care is available in Alexandria, Louisiana and what is the cost?
It is difficult to exactly predict the cost of child care in any city, which for parents, is a large part of the cost of living. There are different arrangements and lengths of time that are needed to care for a child, and costs may vary a lot depending on the services provided. Based on the state average, for Alexandria child care for a child up to 3 years could cost $5747 per year. Louisiana is ranked NO. 47 in annual cost of child care in the U.S. (2026-08-26salary.com)
What are rents like in Alexandria,LA?
In Alexandria,LA, my friend pays $1260 for a large 2 bedroom apartment. Since he has 2 children, he needs to have a large apartment. (2026-08-26salary.com)
Are there fun things to in Alexandria, Louisiana that are free or don’t cost a lot?
Looks for areas of Alexandria, Louisiana where there is a large student population. In those areas you will be sure to find lots of free or cheap events to go to and plenty of cheap places to eat. Familiarize yourself with the places where students hang out, and take advantage of discounted or bargain prices, you are sure to be able to keep your cost of living reasonable. Look at the website for Alexandria, LA to find recommendations for activities that are available and unique to the area. (2026-08-26salary.com)
How does Alexandria, Louisiana compare to the rest of U.S. as far as all the taxes that will affect my cost of living?
The overall tax ranking for Alexandria, Louisiana, which is based on a composite of state wide taxes including income taxes, sales taxes, property taxes, insurance taxes, and business taxes is the eighth highest compared to the rest of the United States. This overall tax profile can definitely impact your cost of living in Alexandria, LA. (2026-08-26salary.com)
Cost of living in Alexandria, Louisiana is important, but what about the weather?
The weather in Alexandria is ideal. Based on data collected by NOAA National Climatic Data Center, Alexandria is considered to have one of the most favorable climates in the country based on comfort and number of days with clear skies. You will enjoy living in Alexandria, Louisiana. (2026-08-26salary.com)
Can you save money using public transport?
You could save up to $1,000 per year, depending on your location, by using public transport instead of driving. Not only will you reduce the stress of driving and finding a place to park once you reach your destination, your car and tires will last longer, and you will spend less on gas. A side benefit is that you may be able to relax, work, or read on the way to work, or get to know and chat with other commuters. Some employers offer employees reduced fee bus or transit passes, so check that out with your employer. (2026-08-26salary.com)
Cost of Living Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Cost of Living index and how is it used?
In the simplest terms, a Cost of Living index is the estimated amount that represents the cost of the basic necessities required for an individual to live. A cost of living or COL estimate may typically include estimates for housing, food, energy, medical care, transportation, taxes, and other necessities. A COL index may be used to measure what the cost difference would be for a person living in a certain location compared to another location. This cost of living comparison helps individuals make decisions about where they would like to live and what they can afford based on the costs in that location. A cost of living comparison can provide guidance about how an increase or decrease in these basic living expenses impacts necessary spending for an individual or a family.
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What factors are included in estimating your cost of living?
The Salary.com cost of living calculator estimate is based on data related to five general categories: housing, food, healthcare, transportation, and energy. These are the universally recognized core components of any cost of living estimate and represent those expenses that apply to everyone. Obviously, there may be other factors that could contribute to your particular cost of living situation and not everyone has the same spending habits. For example, education and/or childcare costs might not apply to everyone, but for those who have those expenses, they could be significant and should be considered when you evaluate your cost of living comparison.
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The Salary.com cost of living calculator is unique in that it also incorporates current salary data for thousands of jobs specific to a chosen home or work location to provide a more refined estimate of the cost of living variations. You can see how your job and your salary will be impacted by a change of location. If you live in one location but work in another, the cost of living calculator will make those adjustments to provide an accurate estimate of the change in COL. The Salary.com cost of living calculator helps you to make cost of living comparisons cost comparisons easily and quickly.
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Use our Salary Converter Tool, a user-friendly resource designed to see how much your salary will be if converted into hourly/weekly/biweekly/monthly/yearly pay. With just a few clicks, you can gain valuable insights into your earning potential, ensuring you make informed financial decisions.
Use our Salary Converter Tool, a user-friendly resource designed to see how much your salary will be if converted into hourly/weekly/biweekly/monthly/yearly pay. With just a few clicks, you can gain valuable insights into your earning potential, ensuring you make informed financial decisions.
