Cost of Living in Anchorage, AK
| Cost of Living in Anchorage, AK | Compared to State Average | Compared to National Average |
|---|---|---|
| Housing (Buy and Rent) | 16% higher | 36% higher |
| Utilities (Monthly) | 20% lower | 16% higher |
| Food | 11% lower | 25% higher |
| Healthcare | 1% lower | 47% higher |
| Transportation | 8% lower | 14% higher |
| Goods & Services | 7% lower | 19% higher |
The cost of living in Anchorage, AK is 3% lower than the state average and 26% higher than the national average. Anchorage, AK housing is 36% more expensive than the U.S average, while utilities are about 16% pricier. When it comes to basic necessities such as food and clothing, groceries are around 19% more in Anchorage, AK than in the rest of the country, while clothing costs around 19% more .
Healthcare services such as doctor check-ups and dentistry cost 47% more here compared to the U.S. average. At the same time, non-necessary expenses such as entertainment and grooming services are 19% pricier in Anchorage, AK.
Housing is the most significant expense for most American households. The cost of living in a certain city takes into account both the price of rent and the price of a home. The average monthly rent in Anchorage is $1,389, while home prices circle around $663,257.
Both owning and renting come with utility expenses. These costs include basic services such as energy and telecommunications. In Anchorage, energy bills cost around $231.76 per month.
Food is the most important necessity and its cost varies around the country. This section includes the prices of everyday foods such as produce, meat and dairy. A bottle of milk costs about $3.44 in Anchorage, a dozen eggs go for around $2.94 and a pound of potatoes circles around $4.44.
The benchmark for this category is based on the prices of family doctor visits and specialized services such as optometry. In Anchorage, an optometry check-up costs around $249.02, while a dentist appointment is priced $152.36 on average.
Transportation expenses depend on multiple factors, with fuel being the most important. A gallon of gas is priced around $4.30 in Anchorage, while getting your tires balanced will run you about $63.81.
The cost of clothing tells you how much more or less money you need to buy basic items such as jeans, shirts or slacks in a new city. A men's shirt costs around $34.31 here. Meanwhile, a pair of women's slacks will set you back around $33.10.
The cost of entertainment and everyday services is based on common expenses in each category. For a movie ticket in Anchorage, you should budget around $12.62 a month. When it comes to personal services, a haircut usually goes for $27.48, while dry cleaning costs about $16.71.
The cost of living also takes median household income into account, so you can estimate how much more or less you could be earning in a new city by comparing it to the income in your current area. In Anchorage, the median household income is $88,871.