Cost of Living in Nome Census Area, Alaska
At a Glance
Rent burden measured as median gross rent as a percentage of renter household income (Census ACS B25071)
How Nome Census Area Compares
Median monthly rent comparison
Detailed Housing Stats
Data Story
About Cost of Living in Nome Census Area, Alaska
Nome's rents pinch despite strong income
Nome's median household income of $76,643 slightly exceeds the U.S. average of $74,755, yet its rent-to-income ratio of 20.8% marks Alaska's highest affordability challenge. At $1,328/month, Nome's rents are among Alaska's priciest, driven by extreme remoteness and limited supply.
Alaska's tightest rental squeeze
Nome's 20.8% rent-to-income ratio ranks worst among all eight surveyed Alaska boroughs, exceeding the state average of 18.6% by 2.2 percentage points. This reflects Nome's unique isolation as a remote gold-rush region where supply constraints push rents toward the state's highest levels.
Isolated supply drives expensive rents
Nome's $1,328/month rent ranks among Alaska's highest despite moderate local income, reflecting extreme remoteness and limited housing stock typical of frontier communities. Compared to slightly-better-positioned Northwest Arctic ($1,336) and Kusilvak ($832), Nome occupies an affordability sweet spot between urban and subsistence-level Alaska.
High rent burden, moderate income
Renters dedicate $1,328/month to rent against a $76,643 annual income ($6,387/month), consuming one-fifth of gross earnings and limiting savings capacity. Homeowners face monthly costs of $748 on properties valued at $201,000, offering slightly better long-term wealth-building than renting despite higher absolute payments.
Nome demands strong income buffer
Moving to Nome requires household income above $76,600 to maintain reasonable affordability—and ideally significantly higher to avoid rent stress. The region's gold-rush heritage and Arctic lifestyle appeal, but plan for elevated housing costs even as an established income earner.
Affordability Calculator
See how your income compares to housing costs in Nome Census Area
Rent Burden
20.8%
of gross income
Max Housing (28% Rule)
$1,788
per month
Owner Cost Burden
11.7%
of gross income
You can likely afford the median home in Nome Census Area
Median home value is $201,000. Estimated monthly cost: $1,605 vs. your max of $1,788.
Rent Affordability Guide
Frequently Asked Questions
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See Today's RatesData: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023) — Informational only. Not financial or legal advice.