Alaska
AffordabilityAffordability: grade C, better than 33% of US states
WeatherWeather: grade F, better than 0% of US states
Safety & WellbeingSafety & Wellbeing: grade C, better than 43% of US states
Getting AroundGetting Around: grade D, better than 22% of US states
Lifestyle & ConnectivityLifestyle & Connectivity: grade D, better than 12% of US states
- top 1% for income tax
- top 1% for air quality
- bottom 1% for sunny days
Alaska is a U.S. state with about 735,000 residents. It grades C for safety & wellbeing and F for weather. Standout strengths include income tax, air quality, and estimated total tax burden. It rates lower on violent crime and sunny days.
Official websitealaska.gov (opens in new tab)
Livability factors
Affordability
Median Household Income$87k76th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Cost of Living$57kbetter than 28% of US states
Home Value$312k63rd percentile — neutral, not ranked
Monthly Rent$1kbetter than 29% of US states
Monthly Owner Costs$2kbetter than 24% of US states
Property Tax Rate1.11%better than 35% of US states
Income Tax0.00%better than 99% of US states
Sales Tax1.82%better than 92% of US states
Estimated total tax burden4.49%better than 98% of US states
Unemployment6.5%better than 10% of US states
Weather
Winter Temp (Jan)13°F2nd percentile — neutral, not ranked
Summer Temp (Jul)59°F0th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Annual Precipitation29.7 in22nd percentile — neutral, not ranked
Annual Snowfall76.6 inbetter than 4% of US states
Sunny Days154 daysbetter than 1% of US states
Summer Humidity50°Fbetter than 86% of US states
Comfortable Days41 daysbetter than 4% of US states
Safety & Wellbeing
Natural Disaster Risk78.8better than 57% of US states
Air Quality22 AQIbetter than 99% of US states
School Quality74.3better than 66% of US states
Violent Crime2225/100kbetter than 2% of US states
Property Crime2432/100kbetter than 14% of US states
Community
Population734,8216th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Median Age35.46th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Racial Diversity0.5173rd percentile — neutral, not ranked
Male/Female Ratio1.12100th percentile — neutral, not ranked
White (%)58.4%29th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Black (%)3.0%24th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Hispanic (%)7.5%37th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Asian (%)6.3%82nd percentile — neutral, not ranked
Other / Multiracial (%)24.8%98th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Getting Around
Commute Time21 minbetter than 86% of US states
Walkability7.7/20better than 27% of US states
Airport Distance205 mibetter than 10% of US states
Lifestyle & Connectivity
Broadband Access88.9%better than 65% of US states
Amenities Nearby0.18better than 4% of US states
Park & Nature AccessModeratebetter than 12% of US states
Frequently asked questions
- Is Alaska an affordable place to live?
- Alaska is relatively expensive. Its cost-of-living index is $57k, better than 28% of comparable areas.
- What is the median home value in Alaska?
- The median home value in Alaska is $312k, per the U.S. Census ACS (5-Year).
- What is the median household income in Alaska?
- Median household income in Alaska is $87k, per the U.S. Census ACS (5-Year).
- How much is rent in Alaska?
- Median gross rent in Alaska is $1k a month, per the U.S. Census ACS (5-Year).
- Is Alaska safe?
- Alaska is higher-crime than most comparable areas, with a violent crime rate of 2225/100k (better than 2%). Property crime is 2432/100k.
- What is the weather like in Alaska?
- Alaska averages 59°F in July and 13°F in January, with 29.7 in of annual precipitation and about 154 sunny days a year.
- How are the schools in Alaska?
- Public-school quality in Alaska is above average, scoring better than 66% of comparable areas on a composite of graduation rates, spending, and student-teacher ratio.
- How long is the commute in Alaska?
- The average one-way commute in Alaska is 21 min.
Best places to live in Alaska
Top cities in Alaska
Counties in Alaska
Data sources
- EPA Air Quality (AQI)
- EPA Smart Location Database
- EPI Family Budget Calculator
- FAA airport enplanements
- FBI Uniform Crime Reports
- FEMA National Risk Index
- NCES School Finance Survey
- NOAA Climate Normals (1991–2020)
- NOAA nClimGrid
- OpenStreetMap
- Tax Foundation + state revenue depts
- U.S. Census ACS (5-Year)
- USGS Protected Areas (PAD-US)