2025 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Cary, NC vs Alexandria, VA

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Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Alexandria or is it cheaper to live in Cary?
- Alexandria is 36.8% more expensive than Cary.

Which city has more affordable housing, Alexandria or Cary?
- Alexandria housing costs are 27.8% more expensive than Cary housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Cary or is Health Care more affordable in Alexandria.
- Health related expenses are 7.3% more in Alexandria.
 Cary, NCAlexandria, VAUnited States
 Overall  Unlock144.7100
 Food & Groceries103.2  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock101.7100
 Housing157.0  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$590,300$338,100
 Utilities98  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock128.8100
 Miscellaneous110.0  Unlock100
100 = National Average (Below 100 means cheaper than the US average. Above 100 means more expensive.)
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Reviews for Cary    63 Reviews

Cary is up-and-coming “cool.” The downtown is revitalized and growing. The town takes urban planning very seriously. The home prices have definitely spiked in the last  More

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Over 8 years ago

I've lived in NY, CT, MA, and in Miami FL. Now here in Cary NC for the past 10 years. For what I want and need at this phase of my life, I really like it here! All the  More

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Over 8 years ago

As a Real Estate Agent, I consider Cary the most central location in the Triangle, it basically takes you twenty minutes to get to Chapel Hill, Carrboro, Hillsborough,   More

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Reviews for Alexandria    49 Reviews

Old Town Alexandria is a charming port city, with lovely historic homes, fun restaurants and sweet shops. Its easy proximity to the hustle and bustle of DC offer  More

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Alexandria is different depending on what part of it you are in. There is a huge strata of rich and poor, with a few middle class neighborhoods in between. Old town is  More

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The mailing address in this area is Alexandria, or Engleside. Either way, it's SE Fairfax County between Fort Belvoir and Mount Vernon. The neighborhood has been here  More

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