Alaska
For Americans thinking of retiring to Alaska from another state, or comparing it with a move abroad. Prices in Alaska run at 102.4 against a US average of 100, with housing at 93.8. We cover Alaska's 30 counties on the map below, each with a page of its own, and no town in depth yet.
Sources: BEA Regional Price Parities by state, 2024 (SARPP, line codes 1-5), 2024-12-31
Alaska is not compared with a town — compare two towns instead. Why?
Alaska, a state of the United States, is not the same kind of thing as a town: it spans many counties and very different places. Putting a state-wide average beside one town's own figures produces a number that looks like an answer and describes nothing a person would experience — so the engine refuses that pairing rather than rendering it thinly. A town against another town, here or abroad, is like-for-like. Build a comparison →
Research in progress. Our quality assessment of the official sources for the United States is not finished yet. Every figure published here is sourced and dated.
Alaska's 30 counties
Every county in Alaska on its own figures, against every US county that has the same figure. Pick a county on the map or in the list.
- Lowest fifth of US counties
- Middle fifth
- Highest fifth (darker = a larger share 65+)
- No figure
- At least one hospital rated 4 or 5 stars by CMS
- None in the county
- No figure
- Bottom fifth of US counties
- Middle fifth
- Top fifth (darker = cheaper)
- No figure
- Bottom fifth of US counties
- Middle fifth
- Top fifth (darker = lower)
- No figure
- Bottom fifth of US counties
- Middle fifth
- Top fifth (darker = lower)
- No figure
- Bottom fifth of US counties
- Middle fifth
- Top fifth (darker = more)
- No figure
- Bottom fifth of US counties
- Middle fifth
- Top fifth (darker = lower)
- No figure
Outlines: US Census Bureau, cartographic boundary files (2024). A fifth is among every US county holding the figure, so a color means the same thing in every state.
All 30 counties, with their figures
-
Aleutians East Borough
3,479 residents, 331 aged 65 or older (9.5 %)
- Cost of living
- 96.2 Cheaper than 19 % of the other 3,142 US counties Its area's figure: every county in the area shares it. Alaska nonmetropolitan portion, US = 100
- Taxes on a retired couple
- Aleutians East Borough has no property-tax figure: the Census publishes no single median taxes paid or home value for it (too few sample cases, or a median beyond the end of its table).
- Healthcare access
- No hospital in the county rated 4 or 5 stars by CMS
- Safety
- Aleutians East Borough had fewer than 20 homicides in 2020–2024: CDC WONDER publishes no reliable rate below that.
- Climate
- 0.0 months a year More than 0 % of the other 3,143 US counties
- Natural-hazard risk
- USD $5.72 per USD $1,000 of buildings Lower than 0 % of the other 3,143 US counties
- Medicare premiums
- Original + drug plan USD $6,881 a year for two No Medicare Advantage plan with drug coverage is offered here (CMS, plan year 2027).
Largest places: Akutan, King Cove, Sand Point (Census, 1 July 2024).
Aleutians East Borough page → -
Aleutians West Census Area
5,240 residents, 411 aged 65 or older (7.8 %)
- Cost of living
- 96.2 Cheaper than 19 % of the other 3,142 US counties Its area's figure: every county in the area shares it. Alaska nonmetropolitan portion, US = 100
- Taxes on a retired couple
- USD $2,488 Lower than 68 % of the other 3,110 US counties
- Healthcare access
- No hospital in the county rated 4 or 5 stars by CMS
- Safety
- Aleutians West Census Area had fewer than 20 homicides in 2020–2024: CDC WONDER publishes no reliable rate below that.
- Climate
- 0.0 months a year More than 0 % of the other 3,143 US counties
- Natural-hazard risk
- USD $6.47 per USD $1,000 of buildings Lower than 0 % of the other 3,143 US counties
- Medicare premiums
- Original + drug plan USD $6,881 a year for two No Medicare Advantage plan with drug coverage is offered here (CMS, plan year 2027).
Largest places: Unalaska, St. Paul, Adak (Census, 1 July 2024).
Aleutians West Census Area page → -
Anchorage Municipality
287,155 residents, 42,857 aged 65 or older (14.9 %)
- Cost of living
- 105.4 Cheaper than 3 % of the other 3,142 US counties Its area's figure: every county in the area shares it. Anchorage, AK metropolitan area, US = 100
- Taxes on a retired couple
- USD $4,404 Lower than 25 % of the other 3,110 US counties
- Healthcare access
- No hospital in the county rated 4 or 5 stars by CMS
- Safety
- 8.0 per 100,000 a year Lower than 45 % of the other 767 US counties
- Climate
- 0.0 months a year More than 0 % of the other 3,143 US counties
- Natural-hazard risk
- USD $3.20 per USD $1,000 of buildings Lower than 6 % of the other 3,143 US counties
- Medicare premiums
- Original + drug plan USD $6,881 a year for two No Medicare Advantage plan with drug coverage is offered here (CMS, plan year 2027).
Largest place: Anchorage (Census, 1 July 2024).
Anchorage Municipality page → -
Bethel Census Area
18,391 residents, 1,834 aged 65 or older (10.0 %)
- Cost of living
- 96.2 Cheaper than 19 % of the other 3,142 US counties Its area's figure: every county in the area shares it. Alaska nonmetropolitan portion, US = 100
- Taxes on a retired couple
- Bethel Census Area has no property-tax figure: the Census publishes no single median taxes paid or home value for it (too few sample cases, or a median beyond the end of its table).
- Healthcare access
- 1 hospital in the county rated 4 or 5 stars by CMS
- Safety
- Bethel Census Area had fewer than 20 homicides in 2020–2024: CDC WONDER publishes no reliable rate below that.
- Climate
- 0.0 months a year More than 0 % of the other 3,143 US counties
- Natural-hazard risk
- USD $0.46 per USD $1,000 of buildings Lower than 100 % of the other 3,143 US counties
- Medicare premiums
- Original + drug plan USD $6,881 a year for two No Medicare Advantage plan with drug coverage is offered here (CMS, plan year 2027).
Largest places: Bethel, Kwethluk, Quinhagak (Census, 1 July 2024).
Bethel Census Area page → -
Bristol Bay Borough
847 residents, 166 aged 65 or older (19.6 %)
- Cost of living
- 96.2 Cheaper than 19 % of the other 3,142 US counties Its area's figure: every county in the area shares it. Alaska nonmetropolitan portion, US = 100
- Taxes on a retired couple
- USD $2,912 Lower than 56 % of the other 3,110 US counties
- Healthcare access
- No hospital in the county rated 4 or 5 stars by CMS
- Safety
- Bristol Bay Borough had fewer than 20 homicides in 2020–2024: CDC WONDER publishes no reliable rate below that.
- Climate
- 0.0 months a year More than 0 % of the other 3,143 US counties
- Natural-hazard risk
- USD $1.09 per USD $1,000 of buildings Lower than 70 % of the other 3,143 US counties
- Medicare premiums
- Original + drug plan USD $6,881 a year for two No Medicare Advantage plan with drug coverage is offered here (CMS, plan year 2027).
No incorporated place in this county (Census, 1 July 2024).
Bristol Bay Borough page → -
Chugach Census Area
6,553 residents, 1,153 aged 65 or older (17.6 %)
- Cost of living
- 96.2 Cheaper than 19 % of the other 3,142 US counties Its area's figure: every county in the area shares it. Alaska nonmetropolitan portion, US = 100
- Taxes on a retired couple
- USD $3,416 Lower than 45 % of the other 3,110 US counties
- Healthcare access
- No hospital in the county rated 4 or 5 stars by CMS
- Safety
- Chugach Census Area has no homicide figure for 2020–2024.
- Climate
- 0.0 months a year More than 0 % of the other 3,143 US counties
- Natural-hazard risk
- USD $2.45 per USD $1,000 of buildings Lower than 12 % of the other 3,143 US counties
- Medicare premiums
- Original + drug plan USD $6,881 a year for two No Medicare Advantage plan with drug coverage is offered here (CMS, plan year 2027).
Largest places: Valdez, Cordova, Whittier (Census, 1 July 2024).
Chugach Census Area page → -
Copper River Census Area
2,666 residents, 635 aged 65 or older (23.8 %)
- Cost of living
- 96.2 Cheaper than 19 % of the other 3,142 US counties Its area's figure: every county in the area shares it. Alaska nonmetropolitan portion, US = 100
- Taxes on a retired couple
- Copper River Census Area has no property-tax figure: the Census publishes no single median taxes paid or home value for it (too few sample cases, or a median beyond the end of its table).
- Healthcare access
- No hospital in the county rated 4 or 5 stars by CMS
- Safety
- Copper River Census Area has no homicide figure for 2020–2024.
- Climate
- 0.0 months a year More than 0 % of the other 3,143 US counties
- Natural-hazard risk
- USD $2.47 per USD $1,000 of buildings Lower than 11 % of the other 3,143 US counties
- Medicare premiums
- Original + drug plan USD $6,881 a year for two No Medicare Advantage plan with drug coverage is offered here (CMS, plan year 2027).
No incorporated place in this county (Census, 1 July 2024).
Copper River Census Area page → -
Denali Borough
1,616 residents, 322 aged 65 or older (19.9 %)
- Cost of living
- 96.2 Cheaper than 19 % of the other 3,142 US counties Its area's figure: every county in the area shares it. Alaska nonmetropolitan portion, US = 100
- Taxes on a retired couple
- Denali Borough has no property-tax figure: the Census publishes no single median taxes paid or home value for it (too few sample cases, or a median beyond the end of its table).
- Healthcare access
- No hospital in the county rated 4 or 5 stars by CMS
- Safety
- Denali Borough had fewer than 20 homicides in 2020–2024: CDC WONDER publishes no reliable rate below that.
- Climate
- 0.0 months a year More than 0 % of the other 3,143 US counties
- Natural-hazard risk
- USD $2.91 per USD $1,000 of buildings Lower than 7 % of the other 3,143 US counties
- Medicare premiums
- Original + drug plan USD $6,881 a year for two No Medicare Advantage plan with drug coverage is offered here (CMS, plan year 2027).
Largest place: Anderson (Census, 1 July 2024).
Denali Borough page → -
Dillingham Census Area
4,483 residents, 606 aged 65 or older (13.5 %)
- Cost of living
- 96.2 Cheaper than 19 % of the other 3,142 US counties Its area's figure: every county in the area shares it. Alaska nonmetropolitan portion, US = 100
- Taxes on a retired couple
- USD $6,027 Lower than 7 % of the other 3,110 US counties
- Healthcare access
- No hospital in the county rated 4 or 5 stars by CMS
- Safety
- Dillingham Census Area had fewer than 20 homicides in 2020–2024: CDC WONDER publishes no reliable rate below that.
- Climate
- 0.0 months a year More than 0 % of the other 3,143 US counties
- Natural-hazard risk
- USD $0.59 per USD $1,000 of buildings Lower than 99 % of the other 3,143 US counties
- Medicare premiums
- Original + drug plan USD $6,881 a year for two No Medicare Advantage plan with drug coverage is offered here (CMS, plan year 2027).
Largest places: Dillingham, Togiak, New Stuyahok (Census, 1 July 2024).
Dillingham Census Area page → -
Fairbanks North Star Borough
93,972 residents, 12,956 aged 65 or older (13.8 %)
- Cost of living
- 103.2 Cheaper than 5 % of the other 3,142 US counties Fairbanks-College, AK metropolitan area, US = 100
- Taxes on a retired couple
- USD $4,167 Lower than 29 % of the other 3,110 US counties
- Healthcare access
- No hospital in the county rated 4 or 5 stars by CMS
- Safety
- 8.6 per 100,000 a year Lower than 41 % of the other 767 US counties
- Climate
- 2.0 months a year More than 1 % of the other 3,143 US counties
- Natural-hazard risk
- USD $2.20 per USD $1,000 of buildings Lower than 15 % of the other 3,143 US counties
- Medicare premiums
- Original + drug plan USD $6,881 a year for two No Medicare Advantage plan with drug coverage is offered here (CMS, plan year 2027).
Largest places: Fairbanks, North Pole (Census, 1 July 2024).
Fairbanks North Star Borough page → -
Haines Borough
2,068 residents, 607 aged 65 or older (29.4 %)
- Cost of living
- 96.2 Cheaper than 19 % of the other 3,142 US counties Its area's figure: every county in the area shares it. Alaska nonmetropolitan portion, US = 100
- Taxes on a retired couple
- USD $2,918 Lower than 56 % of the other 3,110 US counties
- Healthcare access
- No hospital in the county rated 4 or 5 stars by CMS
- Safety
- Haines Borough had fewer than 20 homicides in 2020–2024: CDC WONDER publishes no reliable rate below that.
- Climate
- 0.0 months a year More than 0 % of the other 3,143 US counties
- Natural-hazard risk
- USD $0.82 per USD $1,000 of buildings Lower than 91 % of the other 3,143 US counties
- Medicare premiums
- Original + drug plan USD $6,881 a year for two No Medicare Advantage plan with drug coverage is offered here (CMS, plan year 2027).
No incorporated place in this county (Census, 1 July 2024).
Haines Borough page → -
Hoonah-Angoon Census Area
2,271 residents, 658 aged 65 or older (29.0 %)
- Cost of living
- 96.2 Cheaper than 19 % of the other 3,142 US counties Its area's figure: every county in the area shares it. Alaska nonmetropolitan portion, US = 100
- Taxes on a retired couple
- USD $1,513 Lower than 93 % of the other 3,110 US counties
- Healthcare access
- No hospital in the county rated 4 or 5 stars by CMS
- Safety
- Hoonah-Angoon Census Area had fewer than 20 homicides in 2020–2024: CDC WONDER publishes no reliable rate below that.
- Climate
- 0.0 months a year More than 0 % of the other 3,143 US counties
- Natural-hazard risk
- USD $1.07 per USD $1,000 of buildings Lower than 71 % of the other 3,143 US counties
- Medicare premiums
- Original + drug plan USD $6,881 a year for two No Medicare Advantage plan with drug coverage is offered here (CMS, plan year 2027).
Largest places: Hoonah, Gustavus, Angoon (Census, 1 July 2024).
Hoonah-Angoon Census Area page → -
Juneau City and Borough
31,609 residents, 5,647 aged 65 or older (17.9 %)
- Cost of living
- 96.2 Cheaper than 19 % of the other 3,142 US counties Its area's figure: every county in the area shares it. Alaska nonmetropolitan portion, US = 100
- Taxes on a retired couple
- USD $3,311 Lower than 47 % of the other 3,110 US counties
- Healthcare access
- 1 hospital in the county rated 4 or 5 stars by CMS
- Safety
- Juneau City and Borough had fewer than 20 homicides in 2020–2024: CDC WONDER publishes no reliable rate below that.
- Climate
- 0.0 months a year More than 0 % of the other 3,143 US counties
- Natural-hazard risk
- USD $0.44 per USD $1,000 of buildings Lower than 100 % of the other 3,143 US counties
- Medicare premiums
- Original + drug plan USD $6,881 a year for two No Medicare Advantage plan with drug coverage is offered here (CMS, plan year 2027).
Largest place: Juneau (Census, 1 July 2024).
Juneau City and Borough page → -
Kenai Peninsula Borough
61,951 residents, 14,257 aged 65 or older (23.0 %)
- Cost of living
- 96.2 Cheaper than 19 % of the other 3,142 US counties Its area's figure: every county in the area shares it. Alaska nonmetropolitan portion, US = 100
- Taxes on a retired couple
- USD $2,219 Lower than 76 % of the other 3,110 US counties
- Healthcare access
- No hospital in the county rated 4 or 5 stars by CMS
- Safety
- Kenai Peninsula Borough had fewer than 20 homicides in 2020–2024: CDC WONDER publishes no reliable rate below that.
- Climate
- 0.0 months a year More than 0 % of the other 3,143 US counties
- Natural-hazard risk
- USD $3.93 per USD $1,000 of buildings Lower than 3 % of the other 3,143 US counties
- Medicare premiums
- Original + drug plan USD $6,881 a year for two No Medicare Advantage plan with drug coverage is offered here (CMS, plan year 2027).
Largest places: Kenai, Homer, Soldotna (Census, 1 July 2024).
Kenai Peninsula Borough page → -
Ketchikan Gateway Borough
13,549 residents, 2,663 aged 65 or older (19.7 %)
- Cost of living
- 96.2 Cheaper than 19 % of the other 3,142 US counties Its area's figure: every county in the area shares it. Alaska nonmetropolitan portion, US = 100
- Taxes on a retired couple
- USD $2,331 Lower than 73 % of the other 3,110 US counties
- Healthcare access
- 1 hospital in the county rated 4 or 5 stars by CMS
- Safety
- Ketchikan Gateway Borough had fewer than 20 homicides in 2020–2024: CDC WONDER publishes no reliable rate below that.
- Climate
- 0.0 months a year More than 0 % of the other 3,143 US counties
- Natural-hazard risk
- USD $0.31 per USD $1,000 of buildings Lower than 100 % of the other 3,143 US counties
- Medicare premiums
- Original + drug plan USD $6,881 a year for two No Medicare Advantage plan with drug coverage is offered here (CMS, plan year 2027).
Largest places: Ketchikan, Saxman (Census, 1 July 2024).
Ketchikan Gateway Borough page → -
Kodiak Island Borough
12,387 residents, 1,969 aged 65 or older (15.9 %)
- Cost of living
- 96.2 Cheaper than 19 % of the other 3,142 US counties Its area's figure: every county in the area shares it. Alaska nonmetropolitan portion, US = 100
- Taxes on a retired couple
- USD $3,030 Lower than 53 % of the other 3,110 US counties
- Healthcare access
- No hospital in the county rated 4 or 5 stars by CMS
- Safety
- Kodiak Island Borough had fewer than 20 homicides in 2020–2024: CDC WONDER publishes no reliable rate below that.
- Climate
- 0.0 months a year More than 0 % of the other 3,143 US counties
- Natural-hazard risk
- USD $3.99 per USD $1,000 of buildings Lower than 3 % of the other 3,143 US counties
- Medicare premiums
- Original + drug plan USD $6,881 a year for two No Medicare Advantage plan with drug coverage is offered here (CMS, plan year 2027).
Largest places: Kodiak, Old Harbor, Port Lions (Census, 1 July 2024).
Kodiak Island Borough page → -
Kusilvak Census Area
7,932 residents, 672 aged 65 or older (8.5 %)
- Cost of living
- 96.2 Cheaper than 19 % of the other 3,142 US counties Its area's figure: every county in the area shares it. Alaska nonmetropolitan portion, US = 100
- Taxes on a retired couple
- Kusilvak Census Area has no property-tax figure: the Census publishes no single median taxes paid or home value for it (too few sample cases, or a median beyond the end of its table).
- Healthcare access
- No hospital in the county rated 4 or 5 stars by CMS
- Safety
- Kusilvak Census Area has no homicide figure for 2020–2024.
- Climate
- 0.0 months a year More than 0 % of the other 3,143 US counties
- Natural-hazard risk
- USD $0.07 per USD $1,000 of buildings Lower than 100 % of the other 3,143 US counties
- Medicare premiums
- Original + drug plan USD $6,881 a year for two No Medicare Advantage plan with drug coverage is offered here (CMS, plan year 2027).
Largest places: Hooper Bay, Chevak, Emmonak (Census, 1 July 2024).
Kusilvak Census Area page → -
Lake and Peninsula Borough
1,357 residents, 200 aged 65 or older (14.7 %)
- Cost of living
- 96.2 Cheaper than 19 % of the other 3,142 US counties Its area's figure: every county in the area shares it. Alaska nonmetropolitan portion, US = 100
- Taxes on a retired couple
- Lake and Peninsula Borough has no property-tax figure: the Census publishes no single median taxes paid or home value for it (too few sample cases, or a median beyond the end of its table).
- Healthcare access
- No hospital in the county rated 4 or 5 stars by CMS
- Safety
- Lake and Peninsula Borough had fewer than 20 homicides in 2020–2024: CDC WONDER publishes no reliable rate below that.
- Climate
- 0.0 months a year More than 0 % of the other 3,143 US counties
- Natural-hazard risk
- USD $2.21 per USD $1,000 of buildings Lower than 15 % of the other 3,143 US counties
- Medicare premiums
- Original + drug plan USD $6,881 a year for two No Medicare Advantage plan with drug coverage is offered here (CMS, plan year 2027).
Largest places: Newhalen, Nondalton, Port Heiden (Census, 1 July 2024).
Lake and Peninsula Borough page → -
Matanuska-Susitna Borough
118,666 residents, 18,614 aged 65 or older (15.7 %)
- Cost of living
- 105.4 Cheaper than 3 % of the other 3,142 US counties Its area's figure: every county in the area shares it. Anchorage, AK metropolitan area, US = 100
- Taxes on a retired couple
- USD $3,721 Lower than 39 % of the other 3,110 US counties
- Healthcare access
- No hospital in the county rated 4 or 5 stars by CMS
- Safety
- 6.0 per 100,000 a year Lower than 62 % of the other 767 US counties
- Climate
- 0.0 months a year More than 0 % of the other 3,143 US counties
- Natural-hazard risk
- USD $3.50 per USD $1,000 of buildings Lower than 4 % of the other 3,143 US counties
- Medicare premiums
- Original + drug plan USD $6,881 a year for two No Medicare Advantage plan with drug coverage is offered here (CMS, plan year 2027).
Largest places: Wasilla, Palmer, Houston (Census, 1 July 2024).
Matanuska-Susitna Borough page → -
Nome Census Area
9,830 residents, 1,022 aged 65 or older (10.4 %)
- Cost of living
- 96.2 Cheaper than 19 % of the other 3,142 US counties Its area's figure: every county in the area shares it. Alaska nonmetropolitan portion, US = 100
- Taxes on a retired couple
- USD $5,409 Lower than 11 % of the other 3,110 US counties
- Healthcare access
- No hospital in the county rated 4 or 5 stars by CMS
- Safety
- Nome Census Area had fewer than 20 homicides in 2020–2024: CDC WONDER publishes no reliable rate below that.
- Climate
- 0.0 months a year More than 0 % of the other 3,143 US counties
- Natural-hazard risk
- USD $0.46 per USD $1,000 of buildings Lower than 100 % of the other 3,143 US counties
- Medicare premiums
- Original + drug plan USD $6,881 a year for two No Medicare Advantage plan with drug coverage is offered here (CMS, plan year 2027).
Largest places: Nome, Savoonga, Unalakleet (Census, 1 July 2024).
Nome Census Area page → -
North Slope Borough
10,582 residents, 894 aged 65 or older (8.4 %)
- Cost of living
- 96.2 Cheaper than 19 % of the other 3,142 US counties Its area's figure: every county in the area shares it. Alaska nonmetropolitan portion, US = 100
- Taxes on a retired couple
- USD $3,696 Lower than 39 % of the other 3,110 US counties
- Healthcare access
- No hospital in the county rated 4 or 5 stars by CMS
- Safety
- North Slope Borough had fewer than 20 homicides in 2020–2024: CDC WONDER publishes no reliable rate below that.
- Climate
- 0.0 months a year More than 0 % of the other 3,143 US counties
- Natural-hazard risk
- USD $0.28 per USD $1,000 of buildings Lower than 100 % of the other 3,143 US counties
- Medicare premiums
- Original + drug plan USD $6,881 a year for two No Medicare Advantage plan with drug coverage is offered here (CMS, plan year 2027).
Largest places: Utqiag\x1avik, Point Hope, Wainwright (Census, 1 July 2024).
North Slope Borough page → -
Northwest Arctic Borough
7,095 residents, 661 aged 65 or older (9.3 %)
- Cost of living
- 96.2 Cheaper than 19 % of the other 3,142 US counties Its area's figure: every county in the area shares it. Alaska nonmetropolitan portion, US = 100
- Taxes on a retired couple
- Northwest Arctic Borough has no property-tax figure: the Census publishes no single median taxes paid or home value for it (too few sample cases, or a median beyond the end of its table).
- Healthcare access
- No hospital in the county rated 4 or 5 stars by CMS
- Safety
- Northwest Arctic Borough had fewer than 20 homicides in 2020–2024: CDC WONDER publishes no reliable rate below that.
- Climate
- 0.0 months a year More than 0 % of the other 3,143 US counties
- Natural-hazard risk
- USD $0.49 per USD $1,000 of buildings Lower than 99 % of the other 3,143 US counties
- Medicare premiums
- Original + drug plan USD $6,881 a year for two No Medicare Advantage plan with drug coverage is offered here (CMS, plan year 2027).
Largest places: Kotzebue, Selawik, Noorvik (Census, 1 July 2024).
Northwest Arctic Borough page → -
Petersburg Borough
3,394 residents, 899 aged 65 or older (26.5 %)
- Cost of living
- 96.2 Cheaper than 19 % of the other 3,142 US counties Its area's figure: every county in the area shares it. Alaska nonmetropolitan portion, US = 100
- Taxes on a retired couple
- USD $2,106 Lower than 80 % of the other 3,110 US counties
- Healthcare access
- No hospital in the county rated 4 or 5 stars by CMS
- Safety
- Petersburg Borough had fewer than 20 homicides in 2020–2024: CDC WONDER publishes no reliable rate below that.
- Climate
- 0.0 months a year More than 0 % of the other 3,143 US counties
- Natural-hazard risk
- USD $0.31 per USD $1,000 of buildings Lower than 100 % of the other 3,143 US counties
- Medicare premiums
- Original + drug plan USD $6,881 a year for two No Medicare Advantage plan with drug coverage is offered here (CMS, plan year 2027).
Largest place: Kupreanof (Census, 1 July 2024).
Petersburg Borough page → -
Prince of Wales-Hyder Census Area
5,777 residents, 1,248 aged 65 or older (21.6 %)
- Cost of living
- 96.2 Cheaper than 19 % of the other 3,142 US counties Its area's figure: every county in the area shares it. Alaska nonmetropolitan portion, US = 100
- Taxes on a retired couple
- USD $1,769 Lower than 88 % of the other 3,110 US counties
- Healthcare access
- No hospital in the county rated 4 or 5 stars by CMS
- Safety
- Prince of Wales-Hyder Census Area had fewer than 20 homicides in 2020–2024: CDC WONDER publishes no reliable rate below that.
- Climate
- 0.0 months a year More than 0 % of the other 3,143 US counties
- Natural-hazard risk
- USD $0.45 per USD $1,000 of buildings Lower than 100 % of the other 3,143 US counties
- Medicare premiums
- Original + drug plan USD $6,881 a year for two No Medicare Advantage plan with drug coverage is offered here (CMS, plan year 2027).
Largest places: Craig, Klawock, Kake (Census, 1 July 2024).
Prince of Wales-Hyder Census Area page → -
Sitka City and Borough
8,319 residents, 1,681 aged 65 or older (20.2 %)
- Cost of living
- 96.2 Cheaper than 19 % of the other 3,142 US counties Its area's figure: every county in the area shares it. Alaska nonmetropolitan portion, US = 100
- Taxes on a retired couple
- USD $1,617 Lower than 91 % of the other 3,110 US counties
- Healthcare access
- No hospital in the county rated 4 or 5 stars by CMS
- Safety
- Sitka City and Borough had fewer than 20 homicides in 2020–2024: CDC WONDER publishes no reliable rate below that.
- Climate
- 0.0 months a year More than 0 % of the other 3,143 US counties
- Natural-hazard risk
- USD $1.62 per USD $1,000 of buildings Lower than 32 % of the other 3,143 US counties
- Medicare premiums
- Original + drug plan USD $6,881 a year for two No Medicare Advantage plan with drug coverage is offered here (CMS, plan year 2027).
Largest place: Sitka (Census, 1 July 2024).
Sitka City and Borough page → -
Skagway Municipality
1,104 residents, 199 aged 65 or older (18.0 %)
- Cost of living
- 96.2 Cheaper than 19 % of the other 3,142 US counties Its area's figure: every county in the area shares it. Alaska nonmetropolitan portion, US = 100
- Taxes on a retired couple
- USD $1,314 Lower than 96 % of the other 3,110 US counties
- Healthcare access
- No hospital in the county rated 4 or 5 stars by CMS
- Safety
- Skagway Municipality had fewer than 20 homicides in 2020–2024: CDC WONDER publishes no reliable rate below that.
- Climate
- 0.0 months a year More than 0 % of the other 3,143 US counties
- Natural-hazard risk
- USD $0.48 per USD $1,000 of buildings Lower than 99 % of the other 3,143 US counties
- Medicare premiums
- Original + drug plan USD $6,881 a year for two No Medicare Advantage plan with drug coverage is offered here (CMS, plan year 2027).
No incorporated place in this county (Census, 1 July 2024).
Skagway Municipality page → -
Southeast Fairbanks Census Area
7,270 residents, 1,354 aged 65 or older (18.6 %)
- Cost of living
- 96.2 Cheaper than 19 % of the other 3,142 US counties Its area's figure: every county in the area shares it. Alaska nonmetropolitan portion, US = 100
- Taxes on a retired couple
- USD $4,158 Lower than 29 % of the other 3,110 US counties
- Healthcare access
- No hospital in the county rated 4 or 5 stars by CMS
- Safety
- Southeast Fairbanks Census Area had fewer than 20 homicides in 2020–2024: CDC WONDER publishes no reliable rate below that.
- Climate
- 0.0 months a year More than 0 % of the other 3,143 US counties
- Natural-hazard risk
- USD $2.98 per USD $1,000 of buildings Lower than 7 % of the other 3,143 US counties
- Medicare premiums
- Original + drug plan USD $6,881 a year for two No Medicare Advantage plan with drug coverage is offered here (CMS, plan year 2027).
Largest places: Delta Junction, Eagle (Census, 1 July 2024).
Southeast Fairbanks Census Area page → -
Wrangell City and Borough
2,007 residents, 593 aged 65 or older (29.5 %)
- Cost of living
- 96.2 Cheaper than 19 % of the other 3,142 US counties Its area's figure: every county in the area shares it. Alaska nonmetropolitan portion, US = 100
- Taxes on a retired couple
- USD $1,976 Lower than 83 % of the other 3,110 US counties
- Healthcare access
- No hospital in the county rated 4 or 5 stars by CMS
- Safety
- Wrangell City and Borough had fewer than 20 homicides in 2020–2024: CDC WONDER publishes no reliable rate below that.
- Climate
- 0.0 months a year More than 0 % of the other 3,143 US counties
- Natural-hazard risk
- USD $0.20 per USD $1,000 of buildings Lower than 100 % of the other 3,143 US counties
- Medicare premiums
- Original + drug plan USD $6,881 a year for two No Medicare Advantage plan with drug coverage is offered here (CMS, plan year 2027).
Largest place: Wrangell (Census, 1 July 2024).
Wrangell City and Borough page → -
Yakutat City and Borough
672 residents, 165 aged 65 or older (24.6 %)
- Cost of living
- 96.2 Cheaper than 19 % of the other 3,142 US counties Its area's figure: every county in the area shares it. Alaska nonmetropolitan portion, US = 100
- Taxes on a retired couple
- USD $2,334 Lower than 72 % of the other 3,110 US counties
- Healthcare access
- No hospital in the county rated 4 or 5 stars by CMS
- Safety
- Yakutat City and Borough had fewer than 20 homicides in 2020–2024: CDC WONDER publishes no reliable rate below that.
- Climate
- 0.0 months a year More than 0 % of the other 3,143 US counties
- Natural-hazard risk
- USD $2.94 per USD $1,000 of buildings Lower than 7 % of the other 3,143 US counties
- Medicare premiums
- Original + drug plan USD $6,881 a year for two No Medicare Advantage plan with drug coverage is offered here (CMS, plan year 2027).
No incorporated place in this county (Census, 1 July 2024).
Yakutat City and Borough page → -
Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area
5,028 residents, 918 aged 65 or older (18.3 %)
- Cost of living
- 96.2 Cheaper than 19 % of the other 3,142 US counties Its area's figure: every county in the area shares it. Alaska nonmetropolitan portion, US = 100
- Taxes on a retired couple
- USD $3,941 Lower than 34 % of the other 3,110 US counties
- Healthcare access
- No hospital in the county rated 4 or 5 stars by CMS
- Safety
- Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area had fewer than 20 homicides in 2020–2024: CDC WONDER publishes no reliable rate below that.
- Climate
- 1.0 months a year More than 1 % of the other 3,143 US counties
- Natural-hazard risk
- USD $1.37 per USD $1,000 of buildings Lower than 47 % of the other 3,143 US counties
- Medicare premiums
- Original + drug plan USD $6,881 a year for two No Medicare Advantage plan with drug coverage is offered here (CMS, plan year 2027).
Largest places: Galena, Fort Yukon, Nenana (Census, 1 July 2024).
Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area page →
Sources: US Census Bureau, county population estimates by age, 1 July 2025; BEA Regional Price Parities 2024, all items, of each county's metropolitan area or its state's nonmetropolitan portion; CMS, Hospital General Information (Care Compare), hospital overall star rating, release of 13 Aug 2026; CHELSA V2.1 monthly maximum temperature, 1981-2010 (~1 km), averaged over the county, Karger et al.; FEMA, National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), county expected annual loss to buildings (EAL_VALB); CMS, Medicare Advantage and Part D Landscape, plan year 2027; CMS, 2026 Medicare Parts A & B Premiums and Deductibles (fact sheet, 14 Nov 2025); The state's published 2025 income-tax rules, the county's own local income tax where one is levied, and the county's Census ACS property-tax ratio, applied to the example household; CDC WONDER, Underlying Cause of Death 2018-2024 (Single Race, final), by county of residence.
Where Alaska stands, on the six criteria
Alaska's six figures are the ones that set its place on the state ranking, where it sits in Tier 16 of 16. Each is measured for the whole of Alaska, not for any single place within it.
| Criterion | Alaska |
|---|---|
| Cost of living BEA price level, all items (US = 100); lower is better |
102.4 Cheaper than 26% of the other 50 · housing 93.8 · goods 106.3 · utilities 119.0 · other services 102.2
BEA Regional Price Parities by state, 2024 (SARPP, line codes 1-5) · figure for 2024 · checked 2026-08-28
|
| Taxes on a retired couple state and local tax on the example retired couple, USD a year; lower is better |
USD $3,869 (90% margin USD $3,788–$3,950) Lower than 38% of the other 50
Each state's published 2025 income-tax rules and the Census ACS property-tax ratio, applied to the example household · figure for 2025
|
| Healthcare access share of residents 65+ living in a county with a 4- or 5-star CMS hospital; higher is better |
9 % of residents 65+ Higher than 0% of the other 50
CMS, Hospital General Information (Care Compare), hospital overall star rating, release of 13 Aug 2026, weighted by each county's population 65+ (US Census Bureau, 1 July 2025) · figure for 2026 · checked 2026-10-27
|
| Safety homicides per 100,000 a year, 2020–2024, by state of residence; lower is better |
8.1 per 100,000 a year (95% interval 7.2–9.1) Lower than 28% of the other 50
CDC WONDER, Underlying Cause of Death 2018-2024 (Single Race, final), by state of residence · figure for 2024 · checked 2026-10-27
|
| Climate months a year whose mean daily high is 18–29 °C (64–84 °F), 1981–2010; more is better |
0.2 months a year More than 0% of the other 50
CHELSA V2.1 monthly maximum temperature, 1981-2010 (~1 km), averaged over the county, Karger et al., weighted by each county's population 65+ (US Census Bureau, 1 July 2025) · figure for 2010 · checked 2026-10-27
|
| Natural-hazard risk expected yearly loss to buildings from natural hazards, per USD $1,000 of buildings; lower is better |
USD $2.78 per USD $1,000 of buildings Lower than 4% of the other 50
FEMA, National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), state expected annual loss to buildings (EAL_VALB) · figure for 2025 · checked 2026-10-27
|
Medicare in Alaska
For the published example couple, both 67 and married: what Medicare premiums cost a year for two in Alaska, and the most a bad year can cost. What care itself costs depends on a person's health, so it is not estimated here.
Medicare Advantage, with drug coverage
No Medicare Advantage plan with drug coverage is offered here (CMS, plan year 2027).
Original Medicare, with a drug plan
USD $6,881 a year for two in premiums (from USD $4,997)
Medigap: no federal price list — not in this total.
No yearly maximum on Original Medicare alone.
Part B for two, plus the middle of the 9 standalone drug plans offered in the state.
The middle of Alaska's 30 counties, weighted by residents 65 or older (US Census Bureau, 1 July 2025).
The 2027 Part B premium is not yet published (CMS usually publishes it in November); 2026's is used.
Source: CMS, Medicare Advantage and Part D Landscape, plan year 2027; CMS, 2026 Medicare Parts A & B Premiums and Deductibles (fact sheet, 14 Nov 2025).
Alaska adds no Medigap enrollment right beyond the federal six-month open enrollment period, which starts the month you are 65 or older and enrolled in Part B. Alaska's rule
Free, official Medicare counseling in Alaska: Senior Health Insurance Program (SHIP), 1-800-478-6065 (the State Health Insurance Assistance Program).
Retiring to Alaska: pros and cons, by the figures
Retiring to Alaska, judged on the six figures above: a pro is a figure in the top fifth of the states, a con one in the bottom fifth. Figures in between get no verdict.
Pros
None of Alaska's six figures is in the top fifth of the states.
Cons
- Healthcare access: lower than 100% of the other 50 (9 % of residents 65+). CMS, Hospital General Information (Care Compare), hospital overall star rating, release of 13 Aug 2026, weighted by each county's population 65+ (US Census Bureau, 1 July 2025)
- Climate: fewer than 100% of the other 50 (0.2 months a year). CHELSA V2.1 monthly maximum temperature, 1981-2010 (~1 km), averaged over the county, Karger et al., weighted by each county's population 65+ (US Census Bureau, 1 July 2025)
- Natural-hazard risk: higher than 96% of the other 50 (USD $2.78 per USD $1,000 of buildings). FEMA, National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), state expected annual loss to buildings (EAL_VALB)
Also shown, not scored
Alaska's other state-wide figures: shown for context, not part of its tier. Measured for the whole of Alaska — not for any single place within it.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
|
Population
Total resident population, US Census Bureau estimate for 1 July 2025.
How this is measuredTotal resident population, Census Bureau estimate as of 1 July 2025, as reported in SSA's Table 1. Bigger is not better — this axis exists for context, never for ranking. |
737,270 people |
|
Population 65 plus
Residents aged 65 or older, US Census Bureau estimate for 1 July 2025.
How this is measuredResident population aged 65 or older, Census Bureau estimate as of 1 July 2025, as reported in SSA's Table 1. |
116,192 people |
|
Social security beneficiary share
Everyone receiving Social Security — retired, disabled, survivors and dependants — as a share of the population, 2025.
How this is measuredAll OASDI beneficiaries — retired workers, disabled workers, survivors and dependants — as a percentage of the total resident population. SSA Table 1 (2025), population as of 1 July 2025. Not the same measure as the county-level retired-worker share. |
16.7 percent |
Source for every figure: SSA Table 1 (2025) · Census population as of 1 July 2025 · figure for 2025 · checked 2026-08-28 Official source
Taxes on a retired couple in Alaska
We apply Alaska's published rules for tax year 2025 to one example household and show the sum, line by line. These are rules already in force for 2025, not a projection.
The example household
| Filing status | married filing jointly, both aged 67 |
|---|---|
| Social Security | USD $45,000 a year, combined |
| Private pension | USD $25,000 a year |
| IRA or 401(k) withdrawal | USD $20,000 a year |
| Home, for property tax | USD $350,000 |
An illustrative household, the same for every state so states can be compared. Each spouse holds half of each income. Your own figures will differ.
Alaska's rules applied
| No state income tax on this household's income in 2025 Alaska Department of Revenue, Tax Division: Personal Income Tax | USD $0 |
|---|---|
| Property tax on a USD $350,000 home, at the state's median taxes paid ÷ median home value US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, table B25103 | USD $3,869 |
| State and local tax, a year | USD $3,869 |
Federal income tax is left out: it is the same in every state, so it cannot separate them. Sales tax is left out too: it depends on what a household buys, and no state publishes an average of its local rates. The rate is listed below.
The rules behind the sum
- No state sales tax; many municipalities levy their own: 0 % Alaska Division of Community and Regional Affairs: Sales Tax, Local Government Online · checked Oct 26, 2026
We don't cover a town in Alaska yet. See the towns we cover in the United States.
Would your money go further somewhere else?
We rank every place we hold against your budget and the life you want — starting from the sourced figures on this page and adding clearly labeled estimates for the costs no official source prices.
Free Create an account to save your comparisons and pick them up later. No credit card, no email needed, and you keep the whole site.
Create a free account No credit card. No email needed.
One personalized report, up to six places — saved in your account and yours to download as a PDF.
Unlimited reports, up to six places each, and it carries into the resident plan when you move.
On sale when billing opens — the prices are set.
Reports open when the site launches.
The report starts from the same sourced figures you see here, then adds clearly labeled estimates for the costs no official source prices for each town.