Cost of Living in Northwest Arctic 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 Northwest Arctic Borough Compares
Median monthly rent comparison
Detailed Housing Stats
National Ranking
Affordability Rank
Northwest Arctic Borough ranks #1,978 of 3,142 counties for affordability (bottom 37%)
Sourced county brief
Northwest Arctic Borough Median Gross Rent Exceeds Alaska Unweighted Mean
The median gross rent in Northwest Arctic Borough was estimated at $1,350 per month, which is $102 above the Alaska unweighted county mean of $1,248. According to the 2020-2024 ACS 5-Year Estimates, the official rentBurdenGrapiPct for the borough was 18.2%. This figure is 4.8 percentage points lower than the Alaska unweighted county mean of 23.0%. For owner-occupied households, the median selected monthly owner cost was $741, which differs from the state unweighted county mean of $998. The median home value in the borough was $199,100, compared to the state unweighted county mean of $283,493. The median income for renter-occupied households was $90,000 during this period. The 18.2% value represents the official median gross rent as a percentage of household income from table B25071. This data serves as a point-in-time report on borough housing expenses. 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: Northwest Arctic Borough
Affordability Verdict
ACS B25071 estimates median gross rent at 18.2% of renter household income in Northwest Arctic Borough, 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 $1,350 per month; median selected monthly owner costs are $741. These ACS medians describe different tenure groups and are not a personalized rent-versus-buy calculation.
Income Needed
Using the common 30% budgeting benchmark, $54,000 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. Northwest Arctic Borough's $1,350 median is 8.2% above that comparison value.
Data version acs5-2020-2024 · Method cost-advisory-v2
Affordability Calculator
See how your income compares to housing costs in Northwest Arctic Borough
Rent Burden
19.3%
of gross income
Max Housing (28% Rule)
$1,960
per month
Owner Cost Burden
10.6%
of gross income
You can likely afford the median home in Northwest Arctic Borough
Median home value is $199,100. Estimated monthly cost: $1,589 vs. your max of $1,960.
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
What is the cost of living in Northwest Arctic Borough, Alaska?
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Is Northwest Arctic Borough affordable?
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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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