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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

Data: HUD rent estimates, BLS cost of living

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Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd save $2.0K/month moving to West Palm Beach, FL

$150.0K in your current city equals $125.4K in West Palm Beach, FL

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates ยท COL index from Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV area
Overall Cost
โ†“ 27.3%
Less expensive
Monthly Impact
$2,049
Savings
Annual Impact
$24.6K
Per year

Based on monthly living costs (rent, groceries, utilities, transport, healthcare). Home purchase prices shown separately below.

Alexandria, VA

Population:155K
Cost Index:
100
100 = national average
Median Home:$674K

West Palm Beach, FL

Population:124K
Cost Index:
73
(27% below avg)
Median Home:$529K

Alexandria, VA

The Old Dominion State

155K
Population
State Tax
Yes

Located in Virginia, this city has a population of 155K residents.

West Palm Beach, FL

The Sunshine State

124K
Population
State Tax
No Income Tax

Located in Florida, this city has a population of 124K residents.

๐Ÿ’ก Advantage: Florida has no state income tax!

Cost Breakdown by Category

Annual spending: Alexandria, VA vs West Palm Beach, FL

Housing
โ†“ 48.4%
Alexandria, VA
$5,409
West Palm Beach, FL
$2,790
Difference
$2,618
less
Transportation
โ†“ 23.5%
Alexandria, VA
$1,824
West Palm Beach, FL
$1,395
Difference
$429
less
Other
โ†‘ 4.1%
Alexandria, VA
$1,766
West Palm Beach, FL
$1,837
Difference
$71.84
more
Healthcare
โ†“ 7.5%
Alexandria, VA
$622
West Palm Beach, FL
$575
Difference
$46.61
less
All Utilities
โ†‘ 1.5%
Alexandria, VA
$500
West Palm Beach, FL
$507
Difference
$7.26
more
Groceries
โ†“ 0.7%
Alexandria, VA
$1,062
West Palm Beach, FL
$1,054
Difference
$7.25
less

๐Ÿ Rent Comparison

Studio
From$1,744
To$1,529
โ†“ $215
1 Bed
From$1,797
To$1,623
โ†“ $174
2 Bed
From$2,003
To$1,927
โ†“ $76.00
3 Bed
From$2,529
To$2,495
โ†“ $34.00
Alexandria, VAZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,920โ€“$2,900/mo

West Palm Beach, FLZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,530โ€“$2,410/mo

๐Ÿ’ก Note: Rent prices are based on HUD Fair Market Rent data and represent median costs. Actual prices vary by neighborhood, amenities, and condition. Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents FY2026.

$11,182
Monthly in Alexandria, VA
$8,159
Monthly in West Palm Beach, FL
$3,022
Difference

Home Values

Alexandria
West Palm Beach
$674K
Median Value
$529K
โ†‘ +0.4%
YoY Change
โ†“ -4.1%
โ†‘ +14.6%
5-Year Change
โ†‘ +51.4%
$433K - $1.03M
Price Range
$338K - $787K

Homes in West Palm Beach are 22% less expensive than Alexandria

Source: Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI), January 2026

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings
โ†‘ $8.4K
Per year
Monthly Difference
$697
More take-home
Effective Rate Diff
5.6%
Rate difference

Alexandria, VA

Federal Income Tax
Effective: 18.9%
$25.5K
Virginia State Tax
Effective: 5.6%
$8.4K
FICA Taxes
Social Security + Medicare
$11.5K
Total Taxes
Effective: 30.3%
$45.4K
Take-Home Pay
$8,718/month
$104.6K

West Palm Beach, FL

Federal Income Tax
Effective: 18.9%
$25.5K
Florida State Tax
No state income tax
$0
FICA Taxes
Social Security + Medicare
$11.5K
Total Taxes
Effective: 24.7%
$37.0K
Take-Home Pay
$9,416/month
$113.0K

Additional Tax Information

Alexandria, VA Tax Rates

Sales Tax:5.7%
Property Tax:0.8%

West Palm Beach, FL Tax Rates

Sales Tax:7.2%
Property Tax:0.8%

๐Ÿ’ก Note: Tax calculations are estimates based on 2024/2025 tax brackets for single filers with standard deduction. Actual taxes may vary based on filing status, deductions, credits, and local variations.

Environment

Alexandria
West Palm Beach
45 Good
Air Quality
48 Good
63.7%
Good Air Days
59.8%
98 High
Climate Risk
100 Very High
๐ŸŒŠ๐ŸŒ€๐ŸŒก
Top Hazards
๐ŸŒŠ๐ŸŒ…๐ŸŒ€
โ–ฒ+2.9ยฐF
2050 Outlook
โ–ฒ+2.3ยฐF
27 days
Heat Days >95ยฐF
22 days
โ–ฒ+2.9ยฐF
2050 Outlook
โ–ฒ+2.3ยฐF
27 days
Heat Days >95ยฐF
22 days

๐Ÿ’ฐ See how taxes change too โ€” compare take-home pay between Virginia and Florida on TaxTakeHome.com

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