salaryRent is higher than in 59% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs under 3 years of household income, which is easy by U.S. standards. Commutes are short, about 9.8 minutes.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $72,760 a year. That is $35 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 19 of 24 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Bethel?
Share of households by yearly income. 46.3% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Bethel
| Size | Bethel | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,761 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,794 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $2,036 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,469 | $1,698 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Bethel overall?
Everyday prices in Alaska overall are 2% above the U.S. average (index 102.4, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024. City-level data is not published for Bethel, so the Alaska figure is shown.
Taxes and bills in Bethel
Life in Bethel
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Bethel?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $680 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $360,200 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $36,020 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Bethel, AK?
Renting in Bethel costs a median of about $1,819 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Alaska median is $1,651.
How much do I need to make to live in Bethel?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $72,760 a year, or $35 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Bethel cheap or expensive?
Bethel is rated Cheap: rent takes 17.3% of the typical household income of $126,460. It ranks 19th cheapest of 24 Alaska cities we track.
Is Bethel more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in Alaska are 2% above the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Bethel?
The median home value in Bethel is $360,200, about 2.8 times the typical yearly household income.
6,312 people live in Bethel. Numbers are typical (middle) values.