Performance
Score Breakdown
Alexandria
Moscow
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Moscow is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
45% higher compared to Alexandria.
Housing costs are a major driver: Alexandria's average rent is
27% lower than Moscow's.
| Metric | Alexandria | Moscow | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $974 | $1,338 | -27% |
| Groceries | $395 | $0 | 0% |
| Utilities | $226 | $0 | 0% |
| Transport | $120 | $0 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $0 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $1,935 | $1,338 | +45% |
| Cost Index | 92 | 111 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Moscow offers 34% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Moscow delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Alexandria is estimated at
$38,952 vs $84,360 in Moscow.
| Metric | Alexandria | Moscow |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $50,107 | $76,000 |
| Salary Needed | $38,952 | $84,360 |
| Purchasing Power | 54,464 idx | 68,468 idx |
| Household Income | $47,113 | $57,022 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Alexandria | Moscow |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 73.00% | % |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Moscow has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
1,500 minutes (25 hours) per year compared to Alexandria.
Moscow scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Moscow leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Alexandria | Moscow |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 17 min | 14 min |
| Transit Score | 0.0/10 | 45.0/10 |
| Walkability | 0.0/10 | 48.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 40.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Alexandria is the larger city
— approximately 1.7x the population of Moscow.
From a growth perspective, Moscow is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Moscow has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Alexandria | Moscow |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 44,060 | 26,286 |
| Pop. Growth | % | 0.80% |
| Median Age | 37.6 | 25.7 |
| Unemployment | 4.30% | 3.00% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Alexandria
Advantages
The overall cost of living in Alexandria is 8% lower than the national average, primarily due to significantly lower housing expenses.
Housing costs are 26% lower than the national average, with a median home price of $175,000 in May 2026.
The average commute time is relatively short at 17.4 minutes, contributing to a better work-life balance.
Alexandria is a regional healthcare hub with at least four major hospitals, and healthcare costs are 11% lower than the national average.
The city's economy is diverse, with a 3.32% job growth rate between 2023 and 2024.
Drawbacks
Alexandria has a very high violent crime rate, 671% above the national average, resulting in an 'F' safety grade.
The city's population is projected to decline by 1.3% annually, indicating a negative growth trend.
Summers are consistently hot, humid, and often described as oppressive.
A significant portion of the population, 27%, lives below the poverty line as of 2024.
The city exhibits high car dependency, with 77.7% of residents driving alone to work.
Moscow
Advantages
High walkability score of 48, making many errands accessible on foot.
Short average commute time of 14.3 minutes, significantly below the national average.
Strong presence of the University of Idaho contributes to a vibrant cultural scene and job market.
Crime rates have seen a significant decrease, with violent crime rates well below the national average.
Rental prices are relatively affordable compared to national averages, despite a higher cost of living than the Idaho average.
Drawbacks
Median household income ($57,022) is below the national average.
Cost of living is 11% higher than the national average.
Limited public transit options contribute to a medium car dependency.
Job growth rate of 0.167% is modest.
Median age of 25.7 is significantly younger than the national average, which may not appeal to all demographics.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Alexandria
#134Louisiana, USA
55.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$974
Avg Salary
$50,107
Cost Index
92
Commute
17 min
Transit Score
0.0/10
Walkability
0.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.30%
Livability
50
Business
60
Moscow
#16Idaho, USA
75.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,338
Avg Salary
$76,000
Cost Index
111
Commute
14 min
Transit Score
45.0/10
Walkability
48.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.80%
Unemployment
3.00%
Livability
87
Business
65
Calculate Your Cost Impact
Estimate the salary you'd need when moving between Alexandria and Moscow.
Open Cost Calculator