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Most affordable counties in Alaska

Ranking of counties in Alaska by what a typical household can afford at five income brackets. Monthly budget is 30% of gross income compared against Census ACS median owner cost with mortgage.

Alaska AMI (4-person)
$114,300
HUD Income Limits
Counties with cost data
30
of 30 total
30%+ cost burdened
41.6%
HUD CHAS
Severely burdened (50%+)
17.4%

Alaska vs national cost burden

Share of households paying 30%+ and 50%+ of income on housing (HUD CHAS).

Top 10 most affordable counties overall

Lowest median monthly owner cost with mortgage.

  1. 1.Kusilvak Census Area
    $596/mo
  2. 2.Lake and Peninsula Borough
    $820/mo
  3. 3.Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area
    $1,161/mo
  4. 4.Yakutat City and Borough
    $1,202/mo
  5. 5.North Slope Borough
    $1,226/mo
  6. 6.Hoonah-Angoon Census Area
    $1,413/mo
  7. 7.Wrangell City and Borough
    $1,463/mo
  8. 8.Northwest Arctic Borough
    $1,531/mo
  9. 9.Aleutians East Borough
    $1,564/mo
  10. 10.Southeast Fairbanks Census Area
    $1,614/mo

Affordability by income bracket

Counties whose median owner cost fits under 30% of gross monthly income at each bracket.

Low income · $35,000/yr
around 50% of AMI · 30% monthly budget $875
2 affordable
Moderate income · $60,000/yr
around 80% of AMI · 30% monthly budget $1,500
7 affordable
Middle income · $90,000/yr
around 120% of AMI · 30% monthly budget $2,250
25 affordable
Upper middle · $140,000/yr
well above AMI · 30% monthly budget $3,500
30 affordable
High income · $200,000/yr
top quartile nationally · 30% monthly budget $5,000
30 affordable
Median owner cost statewide
$1,769
Census ACS, with-mortgage households.
Median household income
$76,688
Census ACS, state-level.

Browse other states

All states and the nationwide affordability map →

Frequently asked questions

How many counties in Alaska are affordable on a $60k income?

At $60k household income, about 7 out of 30 Alaska counties with reported data keep median owner cost under the 30% rule (roughly $1,500/mo).

What share of Alaska households are cost burdened?

HUD CHAS 2017-2021 shows 41.6% of Alaska households pay 30% or more of income on housing, with 17.4% severely burdened at 50% or more.

What counts as median income in Alaska?

HUD's area median income for a 4-person household in Alaska is $114,300 (most recent HUD Income Limits release). 80% AMI: $91,450; 50% AMI: $57,150.

How is affordability calculated on this page?

For each county, we compare the Census ACS median monthly owner cost with mortgage against 30% of monthly household income at five income brackets. Counties with monthly costs at or below the budget are counted as 'affordable' at that income.

Data sources

Disclaimer. HomeRule is not a real estate agent, lender, appraiser, or financial advisor. This content is for educational and informational purposes only. Actual costs vary significantly by property, location, and individual circumstances. Consult qualified professionals for personalized advice.