salaryAnchorage is the largest city in Alaska that we track, with 288,976 residents. Rent is lower than in 50% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 3.6 years of household income. Commutes are short, about 18.8 minutes.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $66,040 a year. That is $32 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other Alaska cities?
No. Rent here is more expensive than in most of Alaska. It is number 13 of 24 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
Compare Anchorage with other big cities
Compare Anchorage to 149 other cities →
How much do households earn in Anchorage?
Share of households by yearly income. 40.3% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Anchorage
| Size | Anchorage | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,115 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,116 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,565 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $2,030 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $2,571 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Anchorage overall?
Everyday prices in the Anchorage metro area are 5% above the U.S. average (index 105.4, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024.
Taxes and bills in Anchorage
Life in Anchorage
What jobs pay in Anchorage
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacist | $162,980 | 12.2% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $157,430 | 12.6% |
| Lawyer | $153,590 | 12.9% |
| Physician Assistant | $152,710 | 13.0% |
| Dental Hygienist | $132,740 | 14.9% |
| Operations Manager | $120,030 | 16.5% |
| Registered Nurse | $115,290 | 17.2% |
| Police Officer | $115,020 | 17.2% |
| Civil Engineer | $112,740 | 17.6% |
| Software Developer | $104,030 | 19.0% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $101,260 | 19.6% |
| Plumber | $93,600 | 21.2% |
| HVAC Technician | $85,620 | 23.1% |
| Electrician | $82,440 | 24.0% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $82,330 | 24.1% |
| Accountant | $82,150 | 24.1% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $79,270 | 25.0% |
| Carpenter | $72,800 | 27.2% |
| Market Research Analyst | $68,720 | 28.8% |
| Truck Driver | $66,190 | 29.9% |
| Firefighter | $64,810 | 30.6% |
| Medical Assistant | $51,930 | 38.2% |
| Nursing Assistant | $45,370 | 43.7% |
| Customer Service Representative | $44,560 | 44.5% |
| Warehouse Worker | $44,510 | 44.5% |
| Restaurant Cook | $40,140 | 49.4% |
| Retail Salesperson | $37,520 | 52.8% |
| Cashier | $36,350 | 54.5% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $26,080 | 76.0% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Anchorage?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $1,096 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $395,900 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $39,590 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Anchorage, AK?
Renting in Anchorage costs a median of about $1,651 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Alaska median is $1,651.
How much do I need to make to live in Anchorage?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $66,040 a year, or $32 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Anchorage cheap or expensive?
Anchorage is rated Cheap: rent takes 17.8% of the typical household income of $111,392. It ranks 13th cheapest of 24 Alaska cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Anchorage?
The median homeowner in Anchorage pays $4,982 a year in property taxes, about 1.26% of the median home value.
Is Anchorage more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in the metro area are 5% above the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Anchorage?
The median home value in Anchorage is $395,900, about 3.6 times the typical yearly household income.
288,976 people live in Anchorage. Numbers are typical (middle) values.