Cost of Living in Matanuska-Susitna Borough, 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 Matanuska-Susitna Borough Compares
Median monthly rent comparison
Detailed Housing Stats
National Ranking
Affordability Rank
Matanuska-Susitna Borough ranks #2,833 of 3,142 counties for affordability (bottom 10%)
Sourced county brief
Matanuska-Susitna Borough Official Rent Burden Reaches 31.2 Percent
The official ACS B25071 gross rent as a percentage of household income (GRAPI) in the Matanuska-Susitna Borough was 31.2%. This official GRAPI is 8.2 percentage points higher than the Alaska unweighted county mean of 23.0%. Median gross rent in the borough was $1,299 per month, which is above the state unweighted county mean of $1,248. The median home value was estimated at $346,600, exceeding the state unweighted county mean of $283,493. For homeowners, the median selected monthly owner costs were $1,672, which is $674 above the state unweighted county mean of $998. The median income for renter households was $52,324. These statistics represent a snapshot from the 2020-2024 ACS 5-Year Estimates and describe the housing costs for renters and owners as distinct groups within the local economy. 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: Matanuska-Susitna Borough
Affordability Verdict
ACS B25071 estimates median gross rent at 31.2% of renter household income in Matanuska-Susitna Borough, which is between the 30% and 50% rent-burden benchmarks. This is a median percentage among renter-occupied units, not the share of households above a threshold.
Rent vs. Own
Median gross rent is $1,299 per month; median selected monthly owner costs are $1,672. These ACS medians describe different tenure groups and are not a personalized rent-versus-buy calculation.
Income Needed
Using the common 30% budgeting benchmark, $51,960 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. Matanuska-Susitna Borough's $1,299 median is 4.1% above that comparison value.
Data version acs5-2020-2024 · Method cost-advisory-v2
Affordability Calculator
See how your income compares to housing costs in Matanuska-Susitna Borough
Rent Burden
16.6%
of gross income
Max Housing (28% Rule)
$2,194
per month
Owner Cost Burden
21.3%
of gross income
The median home in Matanuska-Susitna Borough may be a stretch
Median home value is $346,600. Estimated monthly cost: $2,767 vs. your max of $2,194.
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
What is the cost of living in Matanuska-Susitna Borough, Alaska?
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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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