Cost of Living in Alaska: Cities where Household Expenses are Highest and Lowest in 2024
What is the cost of living in Alaska? doxo breaks down key insights about Alaska’s household expenses, with a close look into how bills differ between towns and cities across the state.
According to doxo’s The Cost of Bills Index™ (COBI), the average household in Alaska pays $2,410 in monthly expenses. doxoINSIGHTS compares the cost of the ten most common household bills across different regions. This includes Utilities, Cable & Phone, Mobile Phone, Auto Loans, Auto Insurance, Life Insurance, Health Insurance, Alarm & Security, Rent, and Mortgage.
The data sheds light on Alaska’s cost of living through other metrics as well. For example, the “percent of household income” data point shows what percentage of their household income residents spend on bills each month.
By leveraging these tools, residents can gain a clearer understanding of their household expenses and optimize their financial planning.
Alaska ranks as the 12th most expensive state in the US for household bills
According to doxo’s COBI report, Alaska is ranked as the 12th most expensive state in the U.S. for household bills, making it the least expensive state for these expenses.
At $28,918 per year, Alaska’s household expenses, on average, are 13% higher than the US average of $25,513.
Absolute dollar amounts don’t tell the full story, however. doxo’s “Percentage of Household Income” data provides a more proportional look at bill spending in a particular location. Alaska households spend 34% of their income on bills.
COBI helps consumers understand how much it costs to live in one area as compared to another as it relates to the most common household bills. For COBI, the number 100 represents the national average and then, states, counties and cities are assigned a number, either above or below 100, based on how they compare to the national average. The COBI for Alaska is 113.
- Average Bill Cost per Household: $2,410 per month
- Cost of Bills Index(COBI): 113
- doxoINSIGHTS State Rank: #12
- Percent of Household Income Used for Bills: 34%
- Compared to the National Average: 13% lower
Alaska Household Expenses are 13% Lower Than the National Average
The average Alaska household pays $2,410 per month in the 10 most common household bills. The least expensive of these are alarm and security bills.
On the lowest end of the spectrum, the average monthly payment for alarm and security bills in Alaska is $85, compared to the national average of $85, making it approximately the same as the average.
Monthly mortgage bills are the most significant of the 10 most common bills for Alaska residents. The average monthly mortgage payment is $1,835, compared to the national average of $1,402, making it 27% more expensive.
Average Alaska Household Bill Spending
| Bill Category | Average Alaska Monthly Bill | National Average Monthly Bill | Alaska Percent +/- National Average ($2,126) |
| Mortgage | $1,835 | $1,402 | 27% higher |
| Rent | $1,371 | $1,300 | 5% higher |
| Auto Loan | $492 | $496 | 1% lower |
| Utilities | $438 | $362 | 19% higher |
| Auto Insurance | $233 | $209 | 11% higher |
| Health Insurance | $71 | $114 | 47% higher |
| Mobile Phone | $156 | $121 | 25% higher |
| Cable & Internet | $116 | $122 | 5% lower |
| Life Insurance | $105 | $87 | 19% higher |
| Alarm & Security | $85 | $85 | The same |
| Total | $2,410 | $2,126 | 13% lower |
*Household Bill Pay Expense averages shown above reflect the ten most common bills paid, including housing (rent/mortgage).
Kodiak has the highest cost of living in Alaska for household bills
Residents of Kodiak pay the highest household bills in the state of Alaska, at an average of $2,616 per month. The Cost of Bills Index (COBI) for Kodiak is 123, meaning the average cost of bills in this city is 23% higher than the national average.
In proportion to household income, monthly bills in Kodiak make up 34% of the average annual household income of $92,792.
Access detailed infographics about each city or town by clicking on the hyperlinks in the “City” column in the tables below. You can also browse doxoINSIGHTS’ regional bill comparison database to see infographics about more than 4,200 cities and towns across all 50 states in the US.
10 Most Expensive Alaska Cities for Household Bills
| Rank | City | Average Income | Monthly Bill Expenses Per Household | Cost of Bills Index (COBI) – Standard | % +/- Than the National Average | Percent of Household Income Used for Bills |
| 1 | Kodiak | $92,792 | $2,616 | 123 | 23% higher | 34% |
| 2 | Eagle River | $131,993 | $2,602 | 122 | 22% higher | 24% |
| 3 | Ketchikan | $82,763 | $2,592 | 122 | 22% higher | 38% |
| 4 | Juneau | $96,480 | $2,567 | 121 | 21% higher | 32% |
| 5 | Fairbanks | $82,269 | $2,454 | 115 | 15% higher | 36% |
| 6 | North Pole | $88,788 | $2,448 | 115 | 15% higher | 33% |
| 7 | Wasilla | $88,314 | $2,437 | 115 | 15% higher | 33% |
| 8 | Anchorage | $93,380 | $2,415 | 114 | 14% higher | 31% |
| 9 | Palmer | $93,242 | $2,259 | 106 | 6% higher | 29% |
| 10 | Kenai | $72,608 | $2,173 | 102 | 2% higher | 36% |
*Household Bill Pay Expense averages shown above reflect the ten most common bills paid, including housing (rent/mortgage).
Soldotna has the lowest cost of living in Alaska for household bills
Out of 12 cities, Soldotna is the most affordable place in Alaska, with residents paying $1,989 on average for household bills, accounting for 27% of annual income of $88,552. The Cost of Bills Index (COBI) for Soldotna is 94, meaning the average cost of bills in this city is 6% below the national average.
Homer is the second most affordable city in Alaska, with residents paying $2,147 per month on average.
10 Most Affordable Alaska Cities for Household Bills
| Rank | City | Average Income | Monthly Bill Expense Per Household | Cost of Bills Index (COBI) – Standard | % +/- Than the National Average | Percent of Household Income Used for Bills |
| 11 | Homer | $73,007 | $2,147 | 101 | 1% higher | 35% |
| 12 | Soldotna | $88,552 | $1,989 | 94 | 6% lower | 27% |
*Household Bill Pay Expense averages shown above reflect the ten most common bills paid, including housing (rent/mortgage).
Some individuals might be considering moving from a more expensive city to a less expensive one. For those making such decisions, doxoINSIGHTS can be a valuable resource. It allows consumers to compare household expenses in Alaska with average bills in various cities and states nationwide.