Cost of Living in Badger, AK

Population 19,033 · Alaska · Data vintage 2023

108
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Incomes in Badger punch well above what you'd expect from a town of 19,033. The reason is straightforward: extraction-sector wages. Median household earnings of $98,042 pair with home values that remain well below the national median. Unemployment has stayed elevated relative to the national figure — 6.9% as of the most recent ACS release — which shows up in household-income and poverty figures as well.

Cost Overview

Housing 96
Rent 127

Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.

About the Cost of Living in Badger

The median home value in Badger is $291,600 — 4% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,672/month, 27% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $98,042/year is 31% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 6.9%, above the national average of 4.8%. Alaska charges no state income tax, a meaningful advantage for take-home pay. Overall, Badger has a cost of living index of 108 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 8% more expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$291,600
4% below avg
Median Rent
$1,672/mo
27% above avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
14.5x
Favors buying
Property Tax Rate
1.0%
Effective rate

HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom

Studio
$1,004
1 BR
$1,129
2 BR
$1,413
3 BR
$1,839
4 BR
$2,224
Owner-occupied 81.8%
Renter-occupied 18.2%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,672
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $2,286/mo

Estimates based on median data and national averages. Actual costs vary.

🛒 Food & Groceries

National BLS average prices (2023). Local prices may vary.

🥚
Eggs (dozen)
$0.548
🍞
White Bread (lb)
$1.912
🥩
Ground Beef (lb)
$5.61

🚗 Transportation

Avg Commute
24.1 min
11% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
4.8%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
83.0%
Carpooled
9.4%
Public transit
0.4%
Walked
0.1%
Bicycle
0.1%
Work from home
4.8%

Utilities

Electricity
$0.176/kWh
0% below avg

📋 Taxes

State Income Tax (flat) None
Total Sales Tax 1.8%
State rate 0.0%
Avg local rate 1.8%
Property Tax 1.0%

💼 Income & Employment

Median Household Income
$98,042
31% above avg
Per Capita Income
$51,997
Unemployment Rate
6.9%
44% above avg
Poverty Rate
3.9%
Labor Force Participation
68.9%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 16.5%
Graduate degree 9.4%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 34.3
Male median age 33.1
Female median age 35.3

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 41 — Good
61.4%
Good air days/yr
231
Max AQI recorded
229
PM2.5 days
135
Ozone days

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Badger, AK?

Badger has a cost index of 108 (100 = national average). It is 8% above the national average.

What is average rent in Badger, AK?

The median gross rent in Badger is $1,672 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Badger?

The median home value in Badger is $291,600 according to 2023 Census ACS data.

What is the median income in Badger?

The median household income in Badger is $98,042 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Badger, AK?

The combined state and local sales tax rate in Badger is 1.8%. Alaska has no state income tax.

Is Badger, AK affordable?

Badger is near the national average in terms of cost of living, with an index of 108 (100 = US average).

Badger at a Glance

Population
19,033
Median Income
$98,042
Home Value
$291,600
Median Rent
$1,672/mo
Unemployment
6.9%
Sales Tax
1.8%
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Explore county-level cost of living data

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