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Cost of living in Alaska

Everyday prices in Alaska run 2.4% above the US average, the 38th lowest of 51 states and DC.

By Sol Lakein. Updated November 2026.

Alaska next to New York and the US

Longer bar = costs more.1,4,2,3
AlaskaUnited StatesNew York metro

How affordable is Alaska?

Rent and home prices next to what households earn.6
$102,500
Typical household incomeA year · 10th highest of 51
18%
Of income goes to rentA year of 2-bed rent ($1,506/mo) against median income ($102,500). 11th lowest of 51.
4.2
Years of income to buy a home$435,000 median listing against $102,500 income. 16th lowest of 50.

Are people moving to Alaska?

4,525 more people left Alaska for other states than arrived between July 2024 and July 2025 (Census Bureau estimates).

Where Americans are moving5

Alaska by the numbers

Every figure on this page, as tables

Alaska next to New York and the US

PlacePrice levelHousingTypical homeMonthly payment2-bedroom rent
Alaska102.493.8$435,000$2,391$1,506
United States100.0100.0$419,250$2,304$1,563
New York metro112.6148.6$742,000$4,078$1,997

Net moves from other states

Year (July to July)Net moves from other states
2019-20-7,980
2020-21-3,043
2021-22-5,909
2022-23-4,913
2023-24-4,183
2024-25-4,525

States with a similar cost of living to Alaska

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Alaska cost of living: questions people ask

What is the cost of living in Alaska?

Everyday prices in Alaska run 2.4% above the US average, the 38th lowest of 51 states and DC (BEA, 2024). Housing costs, rent included, index at 93.8 against a US average of 100. The median listed home is $435,000 (Realtor.com, September 2026), about $2,391 a month in principal and interest. The median 2-bedroom rent is $1,506 a month, utilities included (Census, 2025). A $150,000 salary in New York buys the same as $136,402 in Alaska.

Is Alaska cheap or expensive to live in?

More expensive than average. Alaska's regional price parity is 102.4, 2.4% above the US average (BEA, 2024).

How much does a house cost in Alaska?

The median listed home in Alaska is $435,000 as of September 2026 (Realtor.com via FRED), against $419,250 nationally. That ranks 29th lowest of 50. With 20% down at 7.32%, principal and interest run about $2,391 a month.

How much is rent in Alaska?

The median gross rent for a 2-bedroom in Alaska is $1,506 a month, including utilities the renter pays, against $1,563 for the US (Census American Community Survey, 2025).

What salary in Alaska equals $150,000 in New York?

About $136,402, using BEA regional price parities for Alaska (102.4) and the New York metro (112.6), 2024.

Are people moving to Alaska?

4,525 more people left Alaska for other states than arrived between July 2024 and July 2025 (Census Bureau estimates).

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Notes on the numbers
  1. 1Everyday prices, housing costs and price levels: BEA regional price parities via FRED, 2024, where the US average is 100. In ranked lists, 1 is the cheapest.
  2. 2Homes: the typical home is the median listing price, Realtor.com via FRED, September 2026.
  3. 3Mortgage: Principal and interest on the median listed home with 20% down, 30-year fixed at 7.32% (Freddie Mac 30-year fixed average, week of October 22, 2026). Excludes taxes, insurance and HOA.
  4. 4Rent: Census ACS 2025 1-year, median gross rent for 2-bedroom units, including utilities.
  5. 5Net moves: US Census Bureau population estimates, net domestic migration, July to July.
  6. 6Affordability: our arithmetic on Census median gross rent (2025), Census median household income (2025) and Realtor.com median listing price (September 2026). Rank 1 is the most affordable.
Sources for this page