Alaska Housing & Living Wage Index

Alaska Cost of Living & Rents (2026)

Compare HUD Fair Market Rents, living wages, and composite living cost indices across all 3 benchmark metropolitan areas in Alaska.

Data updated · Sources: HUD FY 2027 Fair Market Rents, EPI 2026 Family Budget · Methodology

Composite COL Index 123.8 US Benchmark = 100.0
Average 1BR Rent $1,115 HUD Fair Market Rent
Single Living Wage $27.38/hr EPI Living Wage Standard
Family Living Wage $27.35/hr 2 Adults + 1 Child

Metropolitan Areas in Alaska

Metro AreaCOL IndexHUD 1BR RentHUD 2BR RentLiving WageReport
Fairbanks-College, AK 126.5 $1,187/mo $1,553/mo $27.97/hr View
Matanuska-Susitna Borough, AK 125.6 $988/mo $1,293/mo $27.79/hr View
Anchorage, AK 119.2 $1,169/mo $1,529/mo $26.37/hr View
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Alaska Paycheck Calculator

Calculate net after-tax pay with statutory Alaska tax withholdings.

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Wages & Earnings

Alaska Salary Directory

Explore BLS wage percentiles by occupation in Alaska.

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Alaska Cost of Living & Rents (2026) Overview

Comprehensive 2026 cost of living analysis for Alaska. Compare HUD Fair Market Rents, living wages, state income tax impact, and metropolitan living costs. Official 2026 economic data for Alaska compiled from Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS surveys, HUD Fair Market Rents, and statutory tax codes.

Quick answers
Is Alaska an expensive state to live in?

Its metros average a cost-of-living index of 123.8 (U.S. = 100), from EPI family budgets. Average one-bedroom HUD Fair Market Rent across its metros is about $1,115 a month.

What is the living wage in Alaska?

The average living wage for a single adult in Alaska is approximately $27.38/hour, while a family with two adults and one child requires roughly $27.35/hour to cover basic necessities.