Is Alaska a cheap place to live?

Alaska is one of the most expensive states to live in. Luckily, we've done the research and identified the cheapest places to live in Alaska. Most of its cities and towns consistently have a cost of living that is more expensive than the national average.

How much does it cost to live in Alaska?

Average Cost of Living in Alaska: $48,739 per year

Data gathered by MERIC in the third quarter of 2021 ranked Alaska as the state with the seventh highest cost of living. (Hawaii had the highest cost of living in the whole country.)

Can you live in Alaska cheap?

As far as rent goes, Alaska is ever so slightly cheaper than the U.S. as a whole. According to Apartment List's 2019 report, the median rent for a studio and one bedroom apartment in Alaska is $17 and $21 cheaper than the national median, respectively.

What is the cheapest city to live in Alaska?

Juneau. Only accessible by boat or plane, Alaska's capital city is also the most affordable place to live in the entire state.

Is Alaska an expensive place to live?

Unfortunately, Alaska is also known for being one of the most expensive states. As of January 2021, the cost of living in Alaska was 24.09% higher than the national average.

CHEAPEST PLACES TO LIVE IN ALASKA (without living on a homestead)

Can I live in Alaska for free?

While it's a common misconception that you can move there for free, you can get paid to live in Alaska. The Alaska Permanent Fund Dividend (PFD) takes the state's oil wealth and shares an annual portion with all permanent residents (both children and adults).

What is minimum wage in Alaska?

Since then, the Alaska minimum wage has been rising incrementally on an annual basis—to $9.89 in 2019, $10.19 in 2020, and up to $10.34 in 2021. However, in 2022, the state minimum wage in Alaska will remain at $10.34 an hour.

Can you live in Alaska without a job?

Employment. We do not recommend moving out of state alone, especially to Alaska, without having a job lined up. There are a lot of job opportunities available, but unless you have unlimited funds, having secure employment in place is a must before you make the move to Alaska.

Is it hard to live in Alaska?

As beautiful and unspoiled as it is, Alaska is a difficult place to dwell. The climate is harsh and the rigors of daily life can extol a heavy price. For some residents, the stress of Alaskan living boils over into violent encounters.

What state has the lowest cost of living?

Mississippi. Mississippi has the lowest cost of living in the United States. With a cost of living index of 83.3, expenses are nearly 17% less than the national average. Mississippi's housing costs are the lowest in the nation.

Is food expensive in Alaska?

Grocery in Alaska costs 41.7% higher than the national average. The cost is generally high throughout the state, and not just in the major cities like Anchorage or Juneau. It's even costlier in the more remote areas, as this means increased cost of production.

Do you need a car in Alaska?

You can absolutely plan a trip to Alaska without a car! If you are a bit thoughtful about where you go you can make sure to have an amazing car free adventure. In some parts of the state, like Denali and most of Southeast Alaska, you're going to be happier without a car than with one.

Is it easy to get a job in Alaska?

Alaska has adequate numbers of qualified people to fill most jobs. A Caution: Exercise caution when you see books or ads that guarantee "big money jobs" in Alaska. Many simply offer names of companies and require you to find your own job.

How much is groceries in Alaska?

This amount varies across the country, however. In Alaska, a family of four can expect to spend an average of $9,419 on food in 2022, the 21st lowest amount among states, according to the EPI's Family Budget Calculator.

How much does a Big Mac cost in Alaska?

The price of Combo meal in fast food restaurant (Big Mac Meal or similar) in Anchorage, Alaska is $11. This average is based on 8 price points. It provides a decent estimate, but it is not yet reliable. Latest update: May 08, 2022.

Is it dark in Alaska for 6 months?

Alaska is not actually dark for six months of the year, even in our northern cities. The entire state experiences varying hours of sunlight and darkness all year long. The long, dark hours of the winter season are due to Alaska's location on the globe.

What are the cons of living in Alaska?

What should you avoid in Alaska?

Is land in Alaska free?

The federal and state agencies in Alaska do not offer free land. The State of Alaska's Department of Natural Resources however does have a Public Land Sale program and some other organizations in Alaska may occasionally offer land for sale to private citizens.

How do people afford living in Alaska?

Alaska runs a program called the Alaska Permanent Fund, which, per the state website, allots an equal amount of the state's oil royalties to every resident through an annual dividend. In 2018, that dividend came out to $1,600 per person.

Why is Alaska population so low?

The department said the main reason the population continues to fall is more people are leaving the state than are moving to Alaska. In a release, the department said birth rates are also on the decline. “Net migration — in-migrants minus out-migrants — accounted for a loss of 8,873 people.

What is the racial makeup in Alaska?

White: 66.7% (Non-Hispanic White: 64.1%) Black 3.6% Asian 5.4% (4.4% Filipino, 0.3% Chinese, 0.2% Laotian, 0.2% Japanese, 0.1% Indian, 0.1% Vietnamese, 0.1% Thai) American Indian or Alaskan Native 14.8%