Springfield vs Alexandria: Cost of Living (2026)

A side-by-side comparison of Springfield, MA and Alexandria, VA, using US Census Bureau data.

MetricSpringfield, MAAlexandria, VA
Population155,305157,594
Median household income$47,677$113,179
Median home value$198,500$655,700
Median rent (/mo)$1,047$1,983

Source: US Census Bureau ACS 5-Year (2022). Highlighted cell = more affordable / higher income.

Comparing Springfield, MA and Alexandria, VA comes down to what you value most. Springfield has the lower median home value, and Springfield has the lower median rent.

Alexandria has the higher median household income, which affects how far a paycheck stretches against local housing costs. The table below breaks down the key numbers side by side, all sourced from the US Census Bureau.

Frequently asked questions

Is it cheaper to live in Springfield or Alexandria?
By median home value, Springfield is the cheaper of the two ($198,500 vs $655,700). Rent and income differ too — see the full comparison above.
Which has higher salaries, Springfield or Alexandria?
Median household income is $47,677 in Springfield versus $113,179 in Alexandria, per the US Census Bureau.

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