Cost of Living in Alaska
Updated November 2026 · population 735,706
Alaska prices are 2.4% above the US average (index 102.4), ranking 14th most expensive of 51 states and DC; utilities is the biggest cost driver at 119.0, and a single adult's modelled budget at state-average prices is about $2,759 a month.
Prices by category
Alaska price index by category, US average = 100: All items 102.4, Housing (rents) 93.8, Goods 106.3, Utilities 119.0, Other services 102.2
| Area | All items |
|---|---|
| Alaska (whole state) | 102.4 |
| Metropolitan areas of Alaska | 105.0 |
| Nonmetropolitan areas of Alaska | 96.2 |
Cities in Alaska
Select a column heading to sort.
Metro areas in Alaska
| Metro area | All items | Housing |
|---|---|---|
| Anchorage, AK | 105.4 | 109.9 |
| Fairbanks-College, AK | 103.2 | 92.6 |
BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 for metropolitan statistical areas that include part of Alaska.
Modelled monthly budget at Alaska average prices
1 adult · 1-bedroom · modelled estimate for Alaska (state average)
| Category | Per month | Per year | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing (rent) | $965 | $11,580 | 35% |
| Utilities | $297 | $3,564 | 11% |
| Food at home | $300 | $3,600 | 11% |
| Transportation | $662 | $7,944 | 24% |
| Health care | $359 | $4,308 | 13% |
| Clothing, personal care & supplies | $176 | $2,112 | 6% |
| Total | $2,759 | $33,108 | 100% |
2 adults · 2-bedroom · modelled estimate for Alaska (state average)
| Category | Per month | Per year | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing (rent) | $1,292 | $15,504 | 28% |
| Utilities | $474 | $5,688 | 10% |
| Food at home | $554 | $6,648 | 12% |
| Transportation | $1,309 | $15,708 | 28% |
| Health care | $666 | $7,992 | 14% |
| Clothing, personal care & supplies | $347 | $4,164 | 7% |
| Total | $4,642 | $55,704 | 100% |
2 adults + 2 children · 3-bedroom · modelled estimate for Alaska (state average)
| Category | Per month | Per year | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing (rent) | $1,662 | $19,944 | 28% |
| Utilities | $577 | $6,924 | 10% |
| Food at home | $790 | $9,480 | 14% |
| Transportation | $1,745 | $20,940 | 30% |
| Health care | $620 | $7,440 | 11% |
| Clothing, personal care & supplies | $447 | $5,364 | 8% |
| Total | $5,841 | $70,092 | 100% |
state figures Rents are Census ACS state medians by bedrooms. See the methodology.
Electricity and gas and inflation
Residential electricity
29.41¢/kWh, August 2026
12-month change +5.8% · US 18.16¢
Regular gasoline regional figure: West Coast excl. California (PADD 5)
$4.77/gal, week of 2026-11-02
12-month change +25.9% · US $4.15
Consumer prices in the West region rose +3.4% over the 12 months to September 2026 (US +3.7%; BLS CPI-U).
Price level history
| Year | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alaska | 103.0 | 101.3 | 104.9 | 102.1 | 103.3 | 102.4 |
Change over the period: −0.7 points. Each year is measured relative to that year's US average.
Frequently asked questions
Is Alaska an expensive state to live in?
Alaska has a cost of living index of 102.4 (US = 100), 2.4% above the US average. It ranks 14th of 51 (1 = most expensive). Housing is 93.8 (rank 22), goods 106.3, utilities 119.0 and other services 102.2. Source: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024.
How much does it cost to live in Alaska?
At Alaska state-average prices, our modelled monthly budget is $2,759 for a single adult, $4,642 for a couple and $5,841 for a family of four, before taxes and child care. Costs vary widely within the state: metro areas average 105.0 and nonmetro areas 96.2.
What is the median rent and home value in Alaska?
The median gross rent in Alaska is $1,419 a month and the median home value is $352,900 (Census ACS 2020-2024). The typical renter spends 27.7% of income on rent.
Sources
- BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 (state, state metro and nonmetro portions, MSAs).
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year 2020-2024, state 02.
- EIA-861M residential electricity (August 2026); EIA weekly retail gasoline (West Coast excl. California (PADD 5), 2026-11-02).
- BLS CPI-U, West region (September 2026).
Budgets are modelled estimates, not observed spending. Not financial advice. Methodology