Cost of Living in Anchorage Municipality, Alaska
At a Glance
Rent burden measured as median gross rent as a percentage of renter household income (Census ACS B25071)
These figures are county medians, not a personal budget. Use them to frame rent, ownership, and income tradeoffs, then account for household size, commute, financing, insurance, taxes, debt, and local availability before making a decision.
How Anchorage Municipality Compares
Median monthly rent comparison
Detailed Housing Stats
National Ranking
Affordability Rank
Anchorage Municipality ranks #2,974 of 3,142 counties for affordability (bottom 5%)
Sourced county brief
Anchorage Municipality Rent Burden Higher Than State Mean
In Anchorage Municipality, the official ACS B25071 median gross rent as a percentage of household income (GRAPI) was 28.5%. This figure is 5.5 percentage points higher than the Alaska unweighted county mean of 23.0%. The median gross rent in the municipality was $1,489 per month, exceeding the state unweighted county mean of $1,248. Renter-household income was recorded at a median of $66,267. For owner-occupied units, the median home value was $395,900, while the median selected monthly owner cost was $1,942. The owner cost is $944 above the state unweighted county mean of $998. These figures represent the five-year ACS estimates for the period ending in 2024. See ACS table B25071 for the underlying estimate.
Source record
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25064 Median Gross Rent
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25071 GRAPI
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25077 Median Home Value
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25088 Selected Monthly Owner Costs
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25119 Household Income by Tenure
Data version acs5-2020-2024 · Method cost-brief-v1
Cost of Living Advisory: Anchorage Municipality
Affordability Verdict
ACS B25071 estimates median gross rent at 28.5% of renter household income in Anchorage Municipality, which is below the 30% affordability benchmark. This is a median percentage among renter-occupied units, not the share of households above a threshold.
Rent vs. Own
Median gross rent is $1,489 per month; median selected monthly owner costs are $1,942. These ACS medians describe different tenure groups and are not a personalized rent-versus-buy calculation.
Income Needed
Using the common 30% budgeting benchmark, $59,560 in annual gross income would allocate 30% to the county's median gross rent. This is a reproducible illustration, not evidence that a particular household can afford housing.
Regional Context
The Alaska unweighted mean of county median rents is $1,248 per month. Anchorage Municipality's $1,489 median is 19.3% above that comparison value.
Data version acs5-2020-2024 · Method cost-advisory-v2
Affordability Calculator
See how your income compares to housing costs in Anchorage Municipality
Rent Burden
17.3%
of gross income
Max Housing (28% Rule)
$2,410
per month
Owner Cost Burden
22.6%
of gross income
The median home in Anchorage Municipality may be a stretch
Median home value is $395,900. Estimated monthly cost: $3,161 vs. your max of $2,410.
Rent Affordability Guide
Income Needed Calculator
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Based on the 30% rule for rent and 28% rule for housing costs (mortgage + owner costs). Mortgage estimate assumes 20% down, 7.2% interest, 30-year fixed.
Frequently Asked Questions
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See Today's RatesData: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2020-2024). Data is informational only and is not personalized financial advice.
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