salaryRent is lower than in 65% of U.S. cities. That makes it a rare mix of above-average pay and below-average rent. A typical house costs about 3.3 years of household income. Commutes are long, about 30.3 minutes each way. Most homes (78.4%) are owned, so rentals can be hard to find.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $54,680 a year. That is $26 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other Alaska cities?
Yes. Rent here is cheaper than in most of Alaska. It is number 6 of 24 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in North Lakes?
Share of households by yearly income. 38.1% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in North Lakes
| Size | North Lakes | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,007 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,322 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,365 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,959 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,969 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is North Lakes 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 North Lakes, so the Alaska figure is shown.
Taxes and bills in North Lakes
Life in North Lakes
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in North Lakes?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $1,114 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $357,600 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $35,760 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in North Lakes, AK?
Renting in North Lakes costs a median of about $1,367 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Alaska median is $1,651.
How much do I need to make to live in North Lakes?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $54,680 a year, or $26 an hour at a full-time job.
Is North Lakes cheap or expensive?
North Lakes is rated Cheap: rent takes 15.0% of the typical household income of $109,661. It ranks 6th cheapest of 24 Alaska cities we track.
How much are property taxes in North Lakes?
The median homeowner in North Lakes pays $3,808 a year in property taxes, about 1.06% of the median home value.
Is North Lakes 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 North Lakes?
The median home value in North Lakes is $357,600, about 3.3 times the typical yearly household income.
10,223 people live in North Lakes. Numbers are typical (middle) values.