State Guide

Best Places to Live in Alaska

The most affordable, safest, and highest-income cities across 355 Alaska cities — ranked from official data.

Compare any two AK cities:
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Choosing where to live in Alaska comes down to a few trade-offs — cost of living, safety, income, and schools. The rankings below pull those out from U.S. Census, FBI, and NCES data so you can see the standouts at a glance, then drill into any city or put two side by side.

Most Affordable Cities in Alaska

Lowest cost of living index (100 = U.S. average · lower is cheaper).

#City Cost of Living Population
1 Anchorage 104 290,674
2 Knik-Fairview 104 18,619
3 North Lakes 104 10,262
4 Tanaina 104 9,682
5 Wasilla 104 9,267
6 Meadow Lakes 104 8,773
7 South Lakes 104 6,414
8 Gateway 104 6,241
9 Palmer 104 6,091
10 Fishhook 104 5,115

Safest Cities in Alaska

Lowest crime index (100 = U.S. average · lower is safer). Limited to cities with complete FBI reporting.

#City Crime Index Population
1 Haines 15 1,762
2 Valdez 27 3,935
3 Soldotna 35 4,394
4 Skagway 37 1,179
5 Palmer 42 6,091
6 Petersburg 43 3,317
7 Kenai 53 7,477
8 Homer 57 5,623
9 Kodiak 61 5,584
10 Seward 77 2,768

Highest-Income Cities in Alaska

Highest median household income (US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates).

#City Median Income Population
1 Anchorage $95,731 290,674
2 Juneau city and $95,711 32,108
3 North Lakes $95,556 10,262
4 Knik-Fairview $94,047 18,619
5 Badger $87,169 19,182
6 College $76,052 12,376
7 Fairbanks $69,914 32,496

Best School Districts in Alaska

Highest school-quality grade (student-teacher ratio, adult attainment, and graduation data where available).

#City School Grade Population
1 Juneau city and B 32,108
2 College B 12,376
3 Anchorage B- 290,674
4 Fairbanks C+ 32,496
5 Badger C 19,182

All Cities in Alaska

Click any city for the full profile. Data from U.S. Census Bureau (ACS 5-Year Estimates).

City Population Median Income Median Home Median Rent Unemployment Crime Index
Anchorage 290,674 $95,731 $363,800 $1,405 5.2% 213
Fairbanks 32,496 $69,914 $262,000 $1,404 7.0% 176
Juneau city and 32,108 $95,711 $404,600 $1,464 4.5% —
Badger 19,182 $87,169 $274,600 $1,461 6.6% 60
Knik-Fairview 18,619 $94,047 $287,000 $1,524 5.5% —
College 12,376 $76,052 $275,100 $1,341 1.9% 60
North Lakes 10,262 $95,556 $311,300 $1,248 7.0% —
Tanaina 9,682 $86,418 $288,600 $1,369 6.4% —
Wasilla 9,267 $69,534 $302,200 $1,105 9.7% 117
Meadow Lakes 8,773 $80,492 $287,900 $1,244 5.7% —
Sitka city and 8,462 $95,261 $424,700 $1,309 5.0% —
Kalifornsky 8,380 $90,703 $282,900 $1,337 2.6% 19
Ketchikan 8,168 $73,512 $304,300 $1,214 5.1% 96
Kenai 7,477 $77,335 $250,600 $1,114 8.6% 53
Steele Creek 6,542 $118,934 $309,900 $980 2.8% 60
South Lakes 6,414 $88,682 $347,700 $1,183 7.5% —
Bethel 6,312 $100,852 $340,100 $1,546 8.9% 304
Sterling 6,307 $98,542 $332,400 $1,050 10.5% 19
Gateway 6,241 $115,735 $397,400 $1,384 5.3% —
Palmer 6,091 $68,929 $256,400 $1,101 9.6% 42
Homer 5,623 $69,757 $348,000 $1,180 9.0% 57
Kodiak 5,584 $76,765 $283,000 $1,348 4.8% 61
Chena Ridge 5,321 $106,688 $359,000 $1,145 6.1% 60
Fishhook 5,115 $98,523 $338,200 $1,772 6.8% —
Utqiaġvik 4,876 $86,810 $248,000 $1,272 11.5% —
Nikiski 4,405 $59,809 $291,200 $967 4.8% 19
Soldotna 4,394 $67,365 $245,700 $1,013 5.6% 35
Unalaska 4,342 $104,706 $434,200 $1,732 3.3% 21
Farmers Loop 4,179 $100,638 $289,800 $1,298 3.7% 60
Valdez 3,935 $89,255 $251,100 $1,408 6.5% 27
Butte 3,752 $102,171 $297,100 $1,533 4.4% —
Nome 3,710 $103,542 $333,300 $1,626 8.4% 144
Mill Bay 3,617 $115,409 $428,000 $1,903 7.5% 25
Petersburg 3,317 $77,670 $277,900 $1,059 3.7% 43
Big Lake 3,232 $77,292 $275,900 $1,129 6.3% —
Kotzebue 3,088 $101,071 $251,900 $1,633 5.7% 258
Eielson AFB 3,071 $65,139 — $2,071 15.6% 60
Ester 2,989 $72,917 $260,300 $743 3.5% 60
North Pole 2,816 $91,583 $261,800 $1,382 3.8% 79
Goldstream 2,798 $86,724 $276,200 $766 4.0% 60
Seward 2,768 $77,850 $271,000 $1,125 4.8% 77
Ridgeway 2,749 $101,188 $300,000 — 6.7% 19
Farm Loop 2,561 $112,683 $351,500 $1,500 7.8% —
Cordova 2,507 $79,526 $341,100 $1,375 12.1% —
Anchor Point 2,260 $58,357 $208,100 $1,101 10.5% 19
Dillingham 2,175 $92,578 $287,500 $1,235 7.1% —
Fritz Creek 2,163 $78,125 $309,900 $1,063 3.9% 19
Wrangell city and 2,134 $61,000 $273,800 $966 3.4% —
Kodiak Station 2,113 $94,205 — $2,570 0.0% 25
Deltana 2,059 $105,250 $267,700 $1,500 3.2% —
Prudhoe Bay 1,986 — — — 0.9% —
Willow 1,952 $71,536 $259,500 $1,114 7.9% —
Haines 1,762 $69,612 $293,100 $889 5.4% 15
Point MacKenzie 1,707 $92,125 $303,800 — 7.3% —
Lazy Mountain 1,639 $97,750 $330,200 $1,094 6.4% —
Houston 1,613 $53,750 $215,500 $771 12.6% —
Susitna North 1,543 $38,323 $208,700 $862 14.1% —
Cohoe 1,520 $60,341 $215,500 $850 11.2% 19
Metlakatla 1,437 $78,750 $163,900 $685 12.0% —
Diamond Ridge 1,397 $91,923 $304,300 $1,421 2.3% 19
Tok 1,352 $45,156 $194,800 $635 8.6% —
Sutton-Alpine 1,323 $71,058 $218,900 $1,175 13.2% —
Emmonak 1,293 $45,655 $107,200 $967 17.5% —
Bear Creek 1,283 $70,156 $300,000 $937 0.0% 19
Kotlik 1,272 $42,344 $51,100 $644 22.4% —
Salamatof 1,189 $63,750 $287,500 $631 31.8% 19
Skagway 1,179 $88,000 $422,900 $1,036 11.4% 37
Alakanuk 1,138 $41,875 $85,000 $836 27.5% —
Delta Junction 1,126 $80,556 $260,500 $1,046 4.1% —
King Cove 1,108 $79,844 $118,200 $862 6.9% —
Quinhagak 1,079 $42,083 $20,000 $675 25.3% 104
Craig 1,073 $66,146 $231,100 $1,010 5.7% 49
Funny River 1,072 $61,162 $226,100 — 5.1% 19
Womens Bay 1,063 $121,250 $444,100 — 4.1% 25
Sand Point 1,048 $79,922 $213,700 $1,250 3.2% —
Talkeetna 1,044 $79,091 $240,300 $1,250 4.2% —
St. Mary's 992 $43,750 $106,900 $975 22.0% —
Ninilchik 964 $55,357 $235,800 $817 6.0% 19
Buffalo Soapstone 959 $76,563 $273,000 $1,075 13.7% —
Toksook Bay 914 $49,167 $86,900 $700 18.8% 104
Akutan 911 $28,750 $106,300 $595 4.3% —
Hoonah 896 $72,969 $246,500 $1,153 18.6% —
Mountain Village 884 $45,000 — $728 15.0% —
Healy 865 $97,404 $235,500 $529 3.7% —
Togiak 842 $55,833 $104,600 $857 13.2% 22
Nunapitchuk 827 $43,352 $87,700 — 16.6% 104
Savoonga 823 $53,125 $100,000 $950 31.8% 52
Knik River 822 $75,000 $250,300 $821 2.4% —
Tuntutuliak 820 $43,000 $82,700 $500 22.0% 104
Denali Park 817 $86,250 $473,500 — 0.0% —
Klawock 804 $60,625 $245,200 $865 10.2% —
Hooper Bay 801 $35,179 $101,500 $819 25.8% —
Kachemak 787 $65,000 $364,800 $1,174 7.5% 19
Kivalina 769 $68,750 $112,500 $925 22.5% —
Happy Valley 748 $52,273 $199,000 — 8.2% 19
Unalakleet 743 $84,375 $155,400 $1,094 7.7% 52
Fox River 712 $70,938 $310,000 $1,150 15.5% 19
Gustavus 710 $77,500 $275,000 $1,175 4.4% —
Napakiak 692 $23,889 $30,800 $1,638 38.9% 104
Salcha 689 $64,044 $253,200 $1,339 0.0% 60
Noorvik 654 $56,563 $116,700 $633 33.7% —
Stebbins 654 $52,500 $109,300 $595 27.4% 52
Point Hope 649 $56,250 $171,900 $1,250 27.4% —
Buckland 644 $53,819 $76,700 $1,071 27.1% —
Manokotak 629 $51,875 $85,600 $563 15.9% 22
Galena 627 $77,813 $107,400 $1,163 6.9% —
Brevig Mission 625 $58,438 $83,400 $625 20.5% 52
Pleasant Valley 623 — $138,100 — 0.0% 60
Wainwright 621 $79,500 $97,100 $807 8.0% —
New Stuyahok 603 $52,083 $94,000 $900 14.5% 22
Kwigillingok 589 $61,500 $116,700 $568 20.4% 104
Moose Creek 584 $74,762 $164,900 $1,388 0.4% 60
Napaskiak 582 $34,569 $37,400 $950 26.5% 104
Kipnuk 572 $43,750 $43,300 $425 26.3% 104
Shishmaref 568 $56,875 $118,300 $900 28.4% 52
Nuiqsut 564 $76,250 $131,300 $1,094 22.7% —
Yakutat 564 $76,875 $152,100 $1,304 1.8% —
Kwethluk 561 $43,750 — $829 15.6% 104
Selawik 557 $52,917 $61,000 $475 33.1% —
Aniak 551 $72,500 $239,300 $1,618 7.3% 104
Big Delta 545 $96,125 $218,300 — 24.7% —
Noatak 536 $67,500 $157,500 — 35.5% —
Glennallen 522 $78,173 — $1,043 5.4% 20
Nenana 508 $50,357 $99,000 $1,292 8.0% —
Scammon Bay 506 $36,250 $77,900 — 26.7% —
Thorne Bay 482 $63,365 $230,000 $879 2.2% —
South Van Horn 478 $64,757 $25,800 — 5.9% 60
Chefornak 476 $47,500 — $917 27.8% 104
Fort Yukon 476 $46,250 $130,000 $1,292 24.5% —
Eek 475 $48,750 $80,600 $642 28.8% 104
Kake 473 $61,250 $171,900 $925 9.4% —
Tuluksak 456 — — — 1.5% 104
Tununak 450 $38,750 — — 31.8% 104
Tazlina 439 $115,156 $233,300 $1,370 3.4% 20
Chevak 432 — $92,500 — 13.5% —
Gambell 426 $39,375 $76,700 $938 31.5% 52
Two Rivers 424 — $333,600 — 0.0% 60
Kiana 422 $62,727 $126,800 $917 28.9% —
Angoon 419 $42,857 $175,900 $525 28.0% —
Naknek 418 $88,333 $262,500 $1,208 2.9% —
Akiachak 415 $30,833 — $663 12.1% 104
Kasigluk 389 $31,250 — $592 26.8% 104
King Salmon 383 $115,625 $255,600 $1,192 2.8% —
Pilot Station 380 $41,964 $34,800 — 21.1% —
Whittier 377 $48,828 $79,500 $957 13.0% 20
Saxman 361 $50,500 $268,800 $1,069 14.0% 55
Kongiganak 353 $60,938 $175,000 — 21.9% 104
St. Paul 349 $83,214 $103,600 $983 2.9% —
Copper Center 329 $65,556 $151,600 $913 17.1% 20
Hydaburg 328 $53,125 $128,800 $750 10.0% —
Mekoryuk 315 $30,417 $89,300 $563 15.7% 104
Shaktoolik 312 $62,500 $90,000 — 35.0% 52
St. Michael 308 $46,875 $78,800 $833 36.9% 52
Trapper Creek 303 $51,071 $164,800 — 8.5% —
Koyuk 300 $35,313 $83,900 $744 16.7% 52
Akiak 298 $68,125 — $417 26.3% 104
Wales 294 $34,167 $86,700 — 14.7% 52
Elim 293 $35,000 $106,300 $917 44.4% 52
Harding-Birch Lakes 285 $73,281 $322,500 — 4.8% 60
Chickaloon 283 $51,875 $239,400 — 23.5% —
Clam Gulch 279 $90,156 $185,000 — 13.6% 19
Kasilof 279 — $619,300 — 26.6% 19
Teller 279 $34,688 $109,400 $1,055 10.4% 52
Ambler 277 $37,857 $86,700 — 21.6% —
Holy Cross 277 $33,571 $51,400 $725 12.2% —
Coldfoot 270 — — — 0.0% —
Tyonek 270 $42,159 $46,400 $600 20.3% 19
Lower Kalskag 261 $33,125 $172,900 $475 27.8% 104
Upper Kalskag 253 $43,750 $175,000 $1,063 26.3% 104
Northway 252 — $151,600 — 0.0% —
Nulato 249 $53,839 — — 18.2% —
Adak 248 $90,114 $61,700 $1,578 1.5% —
Shungnak 244 $68,750 $127,100 — 21.8% —
Pitkas Point 239 $57,679 $152,800 — 23.0% —
Koliganek 234 $56,250 $121,600 $850 27.4% 22
McGrath 226 $44,250 $83,600 $860 17.9% —
Cooper Landing 224 $148,021 $437,500 — 0.0% 19
Anaktuvuk Pass 222 $69,028 $117,500 $1,050 18.6% —
Kenny Lake 222 $39,667 $206,700 — 0.0% 20
Allakaket 220 $25,000 $52,000 — 18.2% —
Glacier View 216 $31,875 $160,200 — 0.0% —
Marshall 215 $53,750 $26,300 — 20.0% —
Tanana 214 $52,031 $66,000 $886 7.0% —
Halibut Cove 211 $80,139 — — 0.0% 19
Grayling 210 $36,250 $95,800 $667 31.5% —
Seldovia Village 209 $48,571 $200,000 — 0.0% 19
Nikolaevsk 204 $44,286 $178,100 — 12.9% 19
Dry Creek 202 — — — 0.0% —
Coffman Cove 201 $63,750 $170,800 — 8.0% —
Kaktovik 201 $86,458 $93,000 — 16.9% —
Tetlin 201 $20,417 — — 23.5% —
Arctic Village 199 $35,313 — — 5.3% —
Moose Pass 199 $89,250 — — 4.0% 19
Kaltag 197 $39,688 — $806 25.5% —
Fox 195 — — — 0.0% 60
Ruby 194 $32,500 $77,000 — 0.0% —
White Mountain 194 $53,125 $101,300 $967 26.3% 52
Deering 189 $49,375 $108,800 — 23.2% —
Golovin 185 $54,167 $88,800 — 16.5% 52
Huslia 182 $49,792 $26,900 $975 19.4% —
Seldovia 182 $84,375 $203,800 $630 5.5% 19
Alcan Border 178 — — — 0.0% —
Anderson 173 $111,250 $162,500 — 6.0% —
Nanwalek 172 $58,000 $206,300 — 0.0% 19
Point Lay 172 $89,583 $118,200 — 7.5% —
Eareckson Station 166 — — — 0.0% —
Mentasta Lake 165 — — $367 0.0% 20
Fort Greely 158 $65,785 — $2,051 0.0% —
Port Alsworth 158 $102,083 $500,000 $875 11.1% —
Gakona 155 — $437,500 — 17.4% 20
Old Harbor 155 $40,156 $122,900 $888 28.2% 25
Mosquito Lake 154 $96,719 — — 0.0% —
Cold Bay 143 $117,969 — $1,375 0.0% —
Port Graham 142 $58,438 $87,100 $613 0.0% 19
Hollis 138 $55,547 $227,300 — 0.0% —
Tanacross 136 $53,125 — — 0.0% —
Tenakee Springs 136 $48,846 $275,000 — 14.7% —
Nelchina 135 — — — 0.0% 20
Hope 133 — $242,200 — 32.4% 19
Kobuk 133 $36,250 $131,300 $1,125 6.1% —
Port Lions 124 $50,000 $210,700 — 7.8% 25
Willow Creek 123 $72,212 $436,800 — 0.0% 20
Aleknagik 121 $85,000 $112,500 $1,333 30.4% 22
Naukati Bay 120 — — $858 0.0% —
Atqasuk 119 $99,750 $99,200 — 8.0% —
Goodnews Bay 118 $27,708 $129,200 — 6.1% 104
Cantwell 117 $36,500 $213,600 — 17.9% —
Kokhanok 115 — $118,800 — 15.1% —
Minto 113 $36,042 — $857 22.0% —
Venetie 109 $58,281 — — 6.8% —
Silver Springs 106 $125,938 $247,200 — 0.0% 20
Central 105 $16,379 — — 0.0% —
False Pass 103 $62,083 $158,300 — 0.0% —
Eagle 99 $47,500 $48,300 $675 35.7% —
Akhiok 98 $69,750 $95,000 — 34.5% 25
Whale Pass 98 $49,063 — — 5.9% —
Newtok 96 $34,583 $75,000 — 25.6% 104
Chalkyitsik 95 $31,250 $30,400 — 5.5% —
Nelson Lagoon 94 $58,750 $146,400 — 0.0% —
Chuathbaluk 92 $23,750 $162,500 $1,375 12.5% 104
Newhalen 92 $48,333 $168,800 — 18.2% —
Ouzinkie 90 $53,750 — — 20.7% 25
Mendeltna 89 $75,804 $226,300 — 0.0% 20
Oscarville 88 — — — 35.3% 104
Beaver 87 $36,964 — — 5.9% —
Nikolai 87 — $85,000 — 0.0% —
Perryville 85 $27,000 $168,800 $967 23.7% —
Primrose 84 — — — 0.0% 19
Kasaan 82 $87,917 $296,400 $950 4.3% —
Slana 81 — — — 45.5% 20
Anvik 74 $58,750 $43,800 — 12.8% —
Koyukuk 74 $22,143 $81,300 — 10.9% —
Sleetmute 73 $28,750 $162,500 — 16.7% 104
Pilot Point 72 $59,375 $137,500 $950 0.0% —
Chitina 71 — — — 0.0% 20
Nightmute 70 $58,750 $9,999 — 25.0% 104
Gulkana 69 — — $683 21.4% 20
Igiugig 69 $82,500 $346,400 — 6.3% —
Eagle Village 68 $34,000 — — 50.0% —
Klukwan 67 — — $563 6.9% —
Shageluk 65 $33,125 — $533 0.0% —
Port Heiden 63 — $81,000 — 29.6% —
Skwentna 63 — — — 35.3% —
Crown Point 62 — $275,000 — 31.7% 19
Excursion Inlet 62 — — — 0.0% —
Mud Bay 62 — $167,900 — 0.0% —
Nunam Iqua 59 $38,214 $45,000 — 33.3% —
Chenega 58 $58,750 — $475 0.0% 20
Takotna 58 — — $875 0.0% —
Pelican 57 — $120,000 — 14.3% —
St. George 57 $92,500 $91,000 — 0.0% —
Chignik 54 $80,469 $90,000 — 10.7% —
South Naknek 53 $46,667 — $1,042 0.0% —
Twin Hills 53 — — — 13.0% 22
Ekwok 51 $39,063 — — 14.3% 22
Russian Mission 51 — $155,400 — 0.0% —
Diomede 47 — $9,999 — 15.8% —
Egegik 46 — $143,800 — 0.0% —
Larsen Bay 46 $77,500 $106,300 — 6.1% 25
Chistochina 45 — $237,500 $346 0.0% 20
Circle 45 $18,750 $94,400 — 20.0% —
Rampart 41 — $75,000 — 33.3% —
Stony River 41 $106,250 $237,500 — 16.7% 104
Nondalton 40 $55,000 $179,200 — 41.4% —
Port Clarence 40 — — — — 52
Tatitlek 40 $70,417 $98,000 — 0.0% 20
Chignik Lagoon 39 $65,833 $154,200 — 0.0% —
Port Alexander 39 $37,083 — — 25.0% —
Petersville 38 — — — 0.0% —
Whitestone 38 — — — 0.0% —
Alatna 36 $53,125 $73,300 — 0.0% —
Atmautluak 34 $52,500 — — 45.5% 104
Hughes 34 — — — 14.3% —
Clark's Point 31 $23,333 $103,100 — 25.0% 22
Chignik Lake 30 $53,750 — — 0.0% —
Tolsona 29 — — — 0.0% 20
Atka 28 — $100,000 — 0.0% —
Crooked Creek 28 $26,875 — — 84.6% 104
Iliamna 28 — $337,500 — 17.6% —
Levelock 28 — — — 29.4% —
Evansville 27 $89,643 $76,700 — 0.0% —
Karluk 27 — $135,400 — 15.8% 25
Chase 26 — — — — —
Ferry 26 — — — — —
Healy Lake 26 — $325,000 — 0.0% —
Covenant Life 25 — — — 0.0% —
Platinum 23 — — — 0.0% 104
Edna Bay 21 — — — 0.0% —
Wiseman 19 — — — 0.0% —
Attu Station 17 — — — 0.0% —
Manley Hot Springs 17 — — — 0.0% —
Elfin Cove 16 — — — 0.0% —
Hyder 16 — — — 0.0% —
Tonsina 16 — — — 0.0% 20
Lake Minchumina 14 — — — 0.0% —
Port Protection 14 — — — — —
Sunrise 14 — — — 0.0% 19
Livengood 13 — — — 0.0% —
Pedro Bay 13 $75,833 $216,700 — 25.0% —
Lutak 12 — — — — —
Nikolski 12 — — — 0.0% —
Kupreanof 10 — $181,300 — 0.0% 46
Lime Village 9 — — — 50.0% 104
Stevens Village 9 — — — 50.0% —
Red Devil 6 — — — 0.0% 104
Four Mile Road 5 — — — 0.0% —
Beluga 4 — — — 0.0% 19
Birch Creek 3 — — — 0.0% —
Portage Creek 3 — — — 0.0% 22
McCarthy 2 — — — 0.0% 20
Aleneva 0 — — — — 25
Bettles 0 — — — — —
Chicken 0 — — — — —
Chiniak 0 — — — — 25
Chisana 0 — — — — 20
Dot Lake Village 0 — — — — —
Dot Lake 0 — — — — —
Eureka Roadhouse 0 — — — — —
Flat 0 — — — — —
Game Creek 0 — — — — —
Hobart Bay 0 — — — — 46
Ivanof Bay 0 — — — — —
Lake Louise 0 — — — — —
Loring 0 — — — — 55
Lowell Point 0 — — — — 19
Mertarvik 0 — — — — 104
Nabesna 0 — — — — 20
Paxson 0 — — — — 20
Point Baker 0 — — — — —
Point Possession 0 — — — — 19
Pope-Vannoy Landing 0 — — — — —
Red Dog Mine 0 — — — — —
Susitna 0 — — — — —
Ugashik 0 — — — — —
Whitestone Logging Camp 0 — — — — —

Frequently Asked Questions

Anchorage, AK is among the most affordable cities in Alaska, with a cost of living index of 104 (US average = 100) and a median home value of $363,800. See the full ranking above.
Haines, AK ranks among the safest cities in Alaska, with a crime index of 15 (100 = U.S. average, lower is safer). Crime data from the FBI UCR Program.
Anchorage, AK has one of the highest median household incomes in Alaska at $95,731 per year. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.

Compare Any Two Cities

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