Cost of Living in Bethel Census Area, Alaska

$1,454/mo

Median Monthly Rent

$120,600

Median Home Value

19% above state averageUnaffordable

At a Glance

Median Monthly Rent

$1,454/mo

19% above state average

Median Home Value

$120,600

57% below national

Rent-to-Income Ratio

19.0%

% of income spent on rent

Rent burden measured as median gross rent as a percentage of renter household income (Census ACS B25071)

Affordability Rating

Unaffordable

Rent over 50% of income

How Bethel Census Area Compares

Median monthly rent comparison

Bethel Census Area$1,454/mo

Alaska Average$1,221/mo

National Median$1,163/mo

Detailed Housing Stats

$1,454/mo

Median Gross Rent

$120,600

Median Home Value

$546/mo

Monthly Owner Cost

19.0%

Rent-to-Income Ratio

Data Story

About Cost of Living in Bethel Census Area, Alaska

Bethel: Alaska's Least Affordable Rentals

Renters here dedicate 24.7% of income to housing—Alaska's highest burden and nearly the national danger threshold of 30%. With a median household income of just $70,616 paired against $1,454 monthly rent, Bethel residents face the state's steepest affordability crisis.

Worst Affordability in Alaska

Bethel's 24.7% rent-to-income ratio decisively ranks worst among all Alaska counties, far exceeding the state average of 18.6%. This remote region's combination of low median income and high rent creates a perfect affordability storm.

Remote but Dramatically Unaffordable

Bethel's $1,454 rent burden rivals nearby Anchorage's cost, yet with $28,000 less annual income per household, creating a punishing 24.7% ratio. Adjacent regions like Bristol Bay Borough (15.7% rent-to-income) prove that remoteness alone doesn't explain Bethel's affordability crisis.

Income Stretched Dangerously Thin

Renters spend $1,454 monthly on a $70,616 annual income, claiming nearly 25% of earnings before taxes and leaving minimal room for food, transport, or savings. Homeowners fare better at $546 monthly, but the typical renter faces acute financial strain.

Bethel: Housing Affordability Red Flag

Bethel's 24.7% rent-to-income ratio should trigger caution for any prospective relocator—it's Alaska's most unaffordable rental market. Unless your employer guarantees significant premium pay, compare this against Anchorage (17.8%) or Bristol Bay (15.7%) before making the move.

Affordability Calculator

See how your income compares to housing costs in Bethel Census Area

Your Annual Household Income

Rent Burden

24.7%

of gross income

Max Housing (28% Rule)

$1,648

per month

Owner Cost Burden

9.3%

of gross income

You can likely afford the median home in Bethel Census Area

Median home value is $120,600. Estimated monthly cost: $963 vs. your max of $1,648.

Rent Affordability Guide

Your rent-to-income ratio24.7%

Recommended max30.0%

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Bethel Census Area, Alaska?

Bethel Census Area, Alaska has a median monthly rent of $1,454/mo and a median home value of $120,600. The affordability rating is Unaffordable, with rent making up approximately 19.0% of median household income.

What is the median rent in Bethel Census Area?

The median gross rent in Bethel Census Area is $1,454/mo. This is 19% above state average for Alaska.

Is Bethel Census Area affordable?

Bethel Census Area is rated Unaffordable based on rent-to-income ratio of 19.0%. Spending over 50% of income on rent is generally considered unaffordable.

How does Bethel Census Area's rent compare to the state average?

Bethel Census Area's median rent of $1,454/mo is 19% above state average of $1,221/mo for Alaska.

What is the median home value in Bethel Census Area?

The median home value in Bethel Census Area, Alaska is $120,600. This is 57% below the national median home value of $281,900.