Alaska Cost of Living Calculator
Alaska scores 124.5 on the C2ER cost of living index (housing 126.7, Q2 2026): $75,000 at the U.S. average equals about $93,375 here; its highest part is utilities at 148.9.
| Index | Alaska |
|---|---|
| Composite (sets the equivalent salary) | 124.5 |
| Housing (sets the equivalent rent) | 126.7 |
| Groceries | 125.1 |
| Utilities | 148.9 |
| Transportation | 98.6 |
| Health care | 130.6 |
| Other goods and services | 122.1 |
Source: MERIC Cost of Living Data Series, C2ER (https://meric.mo.gov/data/cost-living-data-series).
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Pre-filled: MERIC (C2ER Cost of Living Index)
Additional Details
Pre-filled: MERIC (C2ER Cost of Living Index, Housing component)
Equivalent Salary Needed
Estimated • Based on your inputs
Salary Difference
$18,375.00
Detailed Breakdown
Disclaimer: This calculator provides estimates for informational purposes only. Results should not be considered financial, tax, or legal advice. Consult a qualified professional for your specific situation.
How This Calculator Works
Calculation methodology and assumptions
Alaska's figures fill the destination side: composite 124.5 for the salary, housing 126.7 for the rent, and none on wages for the tax line.
How the salary, rent and tax lines are worked out (the same for every state)
Key State Information
Alaska ranks 5th highest of the 50 states on the composite index (124.5). Median household income: $95,665 (U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2024 1-year, table B19013). Statewide two-bedroom Fair Market Rent (HUD FY2027): $1,539 a month.
What Alaska's index does to a salary and a rent
| Salary at the U.S. average | Same buying power in Alaska | Rent at the U.S. average → in Alaska | Alaska income tax on that salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| $50,000 | $62,250 | $1,000 → $1,267 | $0 |
| $75,000 | $93,375 | $1,500 → $1,901 | $0 |
| $100,000 | $124,500 | $2,000 → $2,534 | $0 |
| $150,000 | $186,750 | $2,500 → $3,168 | $0 |
Alaska does not tax wages.
Alaska and the Pacific coast states
| State | Its composite / housing | $75,000 there = in Alaska | $1,500 rent there = in Alaska | $75,000 in Alaska = there | Income tax there → here |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| California | 140.3 / 192.1 | $66,554 | $989 | $84,518 | 13.3% top rate → none on wages |
| Oregon | 110.4 / 118.8 | $84,579 | $1,600 | $66,506 | 9.9% top rate → none on wages |
| Washington | 115.1 / 124.6 | $81,125 | $1,525 | $69,337 | none on wages → none on wages |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cost of living in Alaska?
Alaska's composite index is 124.5 for Q2 2026, the 5th highest of the 50 states. A $75,000 salary at the national average buys what about $93,375 buys in Alaska.
Which prices are highest and lowest in Alaska?
Against a U.S. average of 100, Alaska's highest part is utilities (148.9) and its lowest is transportation (98.6); housing, groceries, utilities, health care and other goods and services are above the national average, the other one at or below it (C2ER, Q2 2026).
What salary keeps a two-bedroom rent in Alaska at 30% of income?
About $61,560 a year: Alaska's FY2027 statewide two-bedroom Fair Market Rent is $1,539 a month, and $18,468 a year is 30% of that salary.