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
National Ranking
Affordability Rank
Nome Census Area ranks #2,643 of 3,144 counties for affordability (bottom 16%)
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.
Cost of Living Advisory: Nome Census Area
Affordability Verdict
Housing in Nome Census Area is affordable. The median rent is $1,328/month against a median household income of $76,643, putting rent at 20.8% of income.
Rent vs. Own
Renters in Nome Census Area pay $1,328/month on average, compared to $748/month for homeowners. This market favors buyers by about 44%.
Income Needed
To afford the median rent without exceeding 30% of gross income, a household needs to earn approximately $53,120/year. For owner costs at the 28% rule, the required income is roughly $32,057/year. With a median household income of $76,643, most households can comfortably afford rent here. Notably, 19.0% of renter households in Nome Census Area are cost-burdened, spending more than 30% of income on housing.
Regional Context
Compared to Yakutat City and Borough where rent averages $1,276/month, Nome Census Area is approximately 4% more expensive.
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
Income Needed Calculator
See how much you need to earn to comfortably afford housing
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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 (2019-2023) — Informational only. Not financial or legal advice.
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