Cost of Living in Anchorage

Who would even want to live in Alaska, anyways?

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.