Cost of Living in Anchorage, AK
Anchorage, AK — prices, rents and what jobs really pay here after taxes.
Price level
105.4
U.S. average = 100 · #28 of 387
Median wage
$60,200
all jobs · $4,213/mo take-home
1-bedroom rent
$1,190
HUD fair market rent
Salary comparison calculator
What would you need to earn in Anchorage, AK to keep the same lifestyle — after taxes — as in another city?
Salary needed to keep your lifestyle
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Prices in Anchorage, AK vs. the U.S. average
| Category | Index (U.S. = 100) | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| All items | 105.4 | +5.4% |
| Housing | 109.9 | +9.9% |
| Goods | 107.3 | +7.3% |
| Utilities | 111.8 | +11.8% |
| Other services | 103.3 | +3.3% |
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Rent in Anchorage, AK
| Unit | Monthly rent | Income needed (30% rule) |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,115 | $44,600/yr |
| 1 bedroom | $1,190 | $47,600/yr |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,562 | $62,480/yr |
| 3 bedrooms | $2,172 | $86,880/yr |
| 4 bedrooms | $2,620 | $104,800/yr |
HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026, population-weighted across the metro's counties.
Take-home pay in Anchorage, AK
Your take-home pay
$50,551
per year · effective tax rate 16.0%
$4,213Monthly
$2,106Twice a month
$1,944Every 2 weeks
$24.30Hourly
- Federal income tax$5,044
- Social Security (6.2%)$3,732
- Medicare (1.45%)$873
- Alaska income tax$0
- Take-home pay$50,551
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 0.00% state
Highest-paying jobs in Anchorage, AK
| Job | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers | $232,240 | $171,523 | $162,704 |
| Architectural and Engineering Manager | $161,800 | $121,856 | $115,591 |
| Lawyer | $153,590 | $116,245 | $110,268 |
| Physician Assistant | $152,710 | $115,643 | $109,698 |
| Computer and Information Systems Manager | $137,990 | $105,582 | $100,154 |
| Construction Manager | $137,980 | $105,575 | $100,147 |
| Medical and Health Services Manager | $133,620 | $102,595 | $97,320 |
| Dental Hygienist | $132,740 | $101,994 | $96,750 |
| Managers, All Other | $132,210 | $101,632 | $96,406 |
| Financial Manager | $129,220 | $99,588 | $94,468 |
| General and Operations Manager | $120,030 | $93,271 | $88,476 |
| Registered Nurse | $115,290 | $89,937 | $85,313 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officer | $115,020 | $89,747 | $85,132 |
| Civil Engineer | $112,740 | $88,143 | $83,611 |
| Physical Therapist | $112,590 | $88,037 | $83,511 |
| Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers | $110,820 | $86,792 | $82,330 |
| Administrative Services Manager | $101,780 | $80,432 | $76,297 |
| Sales Manager | $100,940 | $79,841 | $75,736 |
| Commercial Pilot | $99,920 | $79,124 | $75,056 |
| Project Management Specialist | $99,580 | $78,885 | $74,829 |
*In U.S.-average dollars after adjusting for local prices.
Frequently asked questions
Is Anchorage, AK expensive to live in?
According to the Bureau of Economic Analysis, overall prices in the Anchorage, AK metro area are 105.4% of the U.S. average, with housing at 109.9%. It is the #28 most expensive of 387 metro areas we track.
What salary do you need to live in Anchorage, AK?
To match the buying power of a $60,000 salary in an average-priced U.S. city you would need about $63,252 in Anchorage, AK (before tax differences). The median wage across all jobs here is $60,200.
How much is rent in Anchorage, AK?
HUD’s FY2026 fair market rents for Anchorage, AK are $1,115 for a studio, $1,190 for one bedroom, $1,562 for two bedrooms and $2,172 for three bedrooms, including utilities.
All salaries in Anchorage, AK
Management Occupations
- Architectural and Engineering Manager — $161,800
- Computer and Information Systems Manager — $137,990
- Construction Manager — $137,980
- Medical and Health Services Manager — $133,620
- Managers, All Other — $132,210
- Financial Manager — $129,220
- General and Operations Manager — $120,030
- Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers — $110,820
- Administrative Services Manager — $101,780
- Sales Manager — $100,940
Business and Financial Operations Occupations
- Project Management Specialist — $99,580
- Business Operations Specialists, All Other — $94,740
- Buyer and Purchasing Agent — $86,380
- Accountant and Auditor — $82,150
- Compliance Officer — $76,290
- Human Resources Specialist — $75,850
Computer and Mathematical Occupations
- Network and Computer Systems Administrator — $96,420
- Computer User Support Specialist — $64,720
Architecture and Engineering Occupations
- Civil Engineer — $112,740
Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations
Community and Social Service Occupations
- Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors — $81,120
- Child, Family, and School Social Workers — $64,640
- Social and Human Service Assistant — $46,060
Legal Occupations
- Lawyer — $153,590
Educational Instruction and Library Occupations
- Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education — $79,650
- Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education — $79,270
- Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education — $78,940
- Career/Technical Education Teachers, Postsecondary — $77,310
- Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary — $30,690
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations
- Physician Assistant — $152,710
- Dental Hygienist — $132,740
- Registered Nurse — $115,290
- Physical Therapist — $112,590
- Medical Records Specialist — $60,620
- Pharmacy Technician — $51,870
Healthcare Support Occupations
- Dental Assistant — $57,710
- Medical Assistant — $51,930
- Nursing Assistant — $45,370
- Home Health and Personal Care Aide — $39,140
Protective Service Occupations
- Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officer — $115,020
- Correctional Officer and Jailer — $68,850
- Security Guard — $46,720
Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations
- Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria — $48,290
- First-Line Supervisor of Food Preparation and Serving Workers — $45,920
- Cooks, Restaurant — $40,140
- Food Preparation Worker — $34,760
- Cooks, Fast Food — $33,960
- Fast Food and Counter Worker — $33,280
- Dishwasher — $31,940
- Bartender — $31,200
- Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop — $30,140
- Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendant and Bartender Helper — $27,040
- Waiter and Waitress — $26,080
Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance Occupations
- Landscaping and Groundskeeping Worker — $47,450
- Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners — $40,510
- Maid and Housekeeping Cleaner — $37,550
Personal Care and Service Occupations
- Exercise Trainer and Group Fitness Instructor — $44,680
- Tour and Travel Guide — $44,400
- Childcare Worker — $36,280
Sales and Related Occupations
- Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel — $75,840
- First-Line Supervisor of Retail Sales Workers — $57,310
- Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products — $55,570
- Retail Salesperson — $37,520
- Cashier — $36,350
Office and Administrative Support Occupations
- First-Line Supervisor of Office and Administrative Support Workers — $68,620
- Executive Secretary and Executive Administrative Assistant — $66,110
- Legal Secretary and Administrative Assistant — $61,280
- Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks — $54,100
- Office Clerks, General — $53,550
- Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive — $48,150
- Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks — $47,590
- Medical Secretary and Administrative Assistant — $47,080
- Teller — $46,850
- Reservation and Transportation Ticket Agent and Travel Clerk — $45,870
- Receptionist and Information Clerk — $44,630
- Customer Service Representative — $44,560
Construction and Extraction Occupations
- First-Line Supervisor of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers — $96,000
- Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters — $93,600
- Electrician — $82,440
- Operating Engineer and Other Construction Equipment Operator — $76,520
- Carpenter — $72,800
- Construction Laborer — $56,160
Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Occupations
- First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers — $97,830
- Aircraft Mechanic and Service Technician — $94,120
- Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines — $80,360
- Automotive Service Technician and Mechanic — $59,880
- Maintenance and Repair Workers, General — $57,390
Transportation and Material Moving Occupations
- Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers — $232,240
- Commercial Pilot — $99,920
- Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Driver — $66,190
- First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors — $61,860
- Light Truck Driver — $57,250
- Bus Drivers, School — $52,930
- Driver/Sales Worker — $48,420
- Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand — $44,510
- Stocker and Order Filler — $40,310
- Shuttle Driver and Chauffeur — $37,130