What are the schools like in McGrath, AK?

McGrath is served primarily by Iditarod Area School District. The district operates several elementary schools, several middle schools, and several high schools with a student-to-teacher ratio of 12.6:1.

What is the median household income in McGrath?

The median household income in McGrath, AK is $44,250 according to the most recent US Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates. The unemployment rate is 17.9%.

What is the weather like in McGrath, AK?

McGrath has an average high temperature of 2.6°F in January and 69.5°F in July. Annual precipitation averages 18.1 inches and annual snowfall averages 86.5 inches.

McGrath, AK Cost of Living, Crime & Is It a Good Place to Live? (2026)

Q: Is McGrath, AK affordable or expensive?

McGrath's cost of living index is 93, where 100 represents the national average. This means McGrath is 7% less expensive than the average US city. The median home value is $83,600 and the median rent is $860 per month.

Q: What is the crime rate in McGrath, AK?

Crime rate data for McGrath is not currently available from the FBI's reported data.

Is McGrath, AK a Good Place to Live?

McGrath is a small town of 226 in Alaska, with a median household income of $44,250 and a 17.9% unemployment rate. Its cost of living index is 93 (US average = 100), which is 7% below the national average.

Strengths: McGrath stands out for an affordable cost of living, below-average home prices, short average commutes.

Trade-offs: Potential downsides include an elevated unemployment rate. Whether McGrath is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.

All McGrath city data on this page comes from official government sources — the US Census Bureau, FBI, NCES, BEA, and NOAA — updated annually.

Cost of Living

Index: 92.9

McGrath's overall cost of living index is 92.9, where 100 represents the US national average. Living in McGrath costs roughly 7% less than the average American city.

Metric	McGrath, AK	National Avg
Median Home Value	$83,600	$244,900
Median Monthly Rent	$860	$1,163
Homeownership Rate	77.3%	65.9%
Median Household Income	$44,250	$74,755

Crime & Safety

Crime data for McGrath is not currently available from the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program. Not all local agencies report to the UCR each year.

Schools & Education

McGrath is served primarily by Iditarod Area School District. The student-to-teacher ratio is 12.6:1 (better than the national average of ~16:1).

Metric	McGrath, AK	National Avg
School District	Iditarod Area School District	—
Elementary Schools	N/A	—
Middle Schools	N/A	—
High Schools	N/A	—
Student/Teacher Ratio	12.6:1	16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher	19.1%	35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher	89.2%	91.1%

Weather & Climate

McGrath sees average highs of 2.6°F in January and 69.5°F in July, with 18.1 inches of annual precipitation and 86.5 inches of snow per year.

Metric	McGrath, AK
Average High — January	2.6°F
Average High — July	69.5°F
Annual Precipitation	18.1"
Annual Snowfall	86.5"

Demographics

Metric	McGrath, AK	National Avg
Population	226	—
Median Age	42.7	38.9
Unemployment Rate	17.9%	3.7%
Avg Commute Time	6.2 min	26 min
White (non-Hispanic)	32.3%	59.3%
Black or African American	1.3%	13.6%
Hispanic or Latino	2.2%	18.9%
Asian	0.0%	6.3%
Under 18	24.8%	22.2%
65 and over	27.0%	16.8%

Nearby Cities

Takotna, AK 16 mi Nikolai, AK 38 mi Flat, AK 86 mi Stony River, AK 86 mi Red Devil, AK 100 mi

ZIP Codes in McGrath

McGrath, AK is covered by 1 ZIP code:

99627

McGrath vs Other Cities

McGrath, AK vs Takotna, AK McGrath, AK vs Nikolai, AK McGrath, AK vs Flat, AK McGrath, AK vs Stony River, AK McGrath, AK vs Red Devil, AK

Frequently Asked Questions

Is McGrath, AK affordable or expensive?

McGrath's cost of living index is 93, where 100 is the national average. That makes McGrath roughly 7% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage. The median home price is $83,600 and median rent is $860/month.

What is the crime rate in McGrath, AK?

Crime data for McGrath is not available in the current FBI UCR reporting year. Not all jurisdictions submit data annually.

What are the schools like in McGrath?

Public schools in McGrath are operated by Iditarod Area School District. The district has several elementary, several middle, and several high schools. The student-to-teacher ratio is 12.6:1. 19.1% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Is McGrath, AK a good place to live?

McGrath, AK has a population of 226, a median household income of $44,250, and an unemployment rate of 17.9%. It offers below-average costs of living, which stretches take-home pay further than in most American cities. Whether it's right for you depends on your priorities — use the compare tool above to stack it against another city you're considering.

What is the weather like in McGrath?

McGrath averages 2.6°F in January and 69.5°F in July. Annual rainfall is 18.1 inches with about 86.5 inches of snow per year. Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).

What ZIP codes are in McGrath?

McGrath, AK is covered by 1 ZIP code: 99627.

What is the population of McGrath?

The population of McGrath, Alaska is 226 with a median age of 42.7. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.

What are the pros and cons of living in McGrath?

Key numbers for living in McGrath: cost of living index 93 (100 = US average), median home $83,600, median household income $44,250, schools rated C-. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare McGrath side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.