Cost of Living in Anchorage

Hi Lyne,
These prices are the average ones, however you can find some cheaper options. First and foremost, get a costco membership- they charge almost the same rate for food as in Washington and Oregon, which is much lower than other stores. I would suggest that you look into buying a house if you can- rent here is high, but the purchase price of homes is actually the same or lower than in most of the urban areas I have lived in. Even if you have to sell it at a loss, the mortgage payment on a 2 or 3 bedroom house is going to be much cheaper than rent on an apartment. Keep in mind that the rental price for most units covers your utilities except electric, phone and internet, so even though rent looks high, for covering your heat, gas, water, sewer, and trash it is actually not that bad. I can rent a 2 bedroom apartment for $900 a month, so the prices here seem to be over-inflated. Electric seems cheap to me, but then again I don't use much electricity. Expect to pay about 25% higher prices than in the lower 48 for eating out here in anchorage. There is a lot of things to do, all the high schools have public indoor swimming pools in them, tons of paved bike paths, wildlife to view, and a lot of outdoor activities.

RE:Don Luehring

I am 63 and my husband and I live on the Kenai peninsula in the city of Kenai. Cost of living here is not conducive with disability pay, our mtg. 1073, electric ave $275 per month. Gas for heat Ave.200 per month. Fuel for two vehicles avg $150 per month with minimal driving. Carts varies with low of $100 month or taxi costing avg 20 for a five mile or less drive. Water & Sewer 90 month, Trash pick up 68 dollars per month. Insurances (HO) 989 year, taxes on our home (275,000) $558 yearly with disability discount. Phone & Internet - $110 month Land line. Cell phone varies. Food cost for two average 400 month (wal-mart, IGA, fred Myers, Safeway) dining out average meal for two $35 to 45 dollars not including tip. I you want to live on moose, and slamon if you can catch it # Helps to save, but we cannot stand salmon, nor can we hunt to even try moose.

Car tags for disabled are free for one vehicle, and other vehicle fees are fare. gas fluctuates repair cost for general labor for home repair ranges from 125 per hour and up. once in a while you can find a contractor who will do work for $50 hourly.

As a veteran you can buy a home here for zero down, and get a great rate through Alaska USA federal Credit Union. Ken Scott is a great loan officer who handled my loan papers. I do not know what market you are looking for but our home will be sold soon if possible my husband wants to retire move back down south. we like kenai, we simply miss all of our family.

In reply to #Sharon. It is likely your husband can find a job in Alaska. If your husband does get a job as an Electrician, he would be among the highest paid in the country. He could easily start out arounf $50,000, and if he had experience, he would be making at least $60,000 and up to $90,000, depending on how long he has experience as and Electrician. However, Alaska has a high cost of living and would definitely be more expensive than Tennessee.

I've always wanted to visit Alaska and possibly live there. Im 4- and my husband is 47 and we have a daughter that's about to turn 17. My question is what's the chances of my husband finding a fairly decent paying job in Anchorage or Fairbanks? He's a journeyman electrician licensed in commercial and residential,highly skilled carpenter,plumber,and pretty much a jack of all trades. We're from Tennessee and I've done some research but I'm not getting the answers I'd like to have. Any input would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance

Thinking of visiting Alaska probably a year from now, downhill skiing. From what I have seen on-line, living in Anchorage would be attractive also from what I have found so far. Is there a particular time of year that the Aurora Borealis is visible? And when does the 12 hours of dark/light start and end.

Or no looks like Robert commented on Kim's about it lol sorry not use to this

Plz every one do not tell someone they should leave this earth and also die. Yes he shouldn't have asked the question he asked but do u know how serious it is to tell some one to end there life. A lot of ppl have listened to others tell them to kill them self's. Could u life with ur self knowing u had something to do with some one's death. Just a thought and as for u Ron I'm really not sure why u asked that question but if it is because of disliking different raise then ur self then I will pray for u because every one is the same no matter what they look like or how the dress or even how they talk. We are all ppl

99.9 % of Alaskans are very friendly. I have a Filipina for a wife I am white. We were welcome. Now live in Palmer. It's not the color of skin that matters, but what is in a person's heart n mind. Just teat everyone as you would like to be treated.