Cost of Living in Soldotna, AK

Population 4,448 · Alaska · Data vintage 2023

88
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Under 25,000 residents gives Soldotna a small-town character that shows up in every data point below — from the commute patterns to the rental inventory. A typical home runs $277,000.

Located 75 miles west of Anchorage, Soldotna is far enough out that local conditions diverge meaningfully from the big-metro baseline. Median home values run roughly 26% lower than Anchorage's $376,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 91
Rent 84

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

About the Cost of Living in Soldotna

The median home value in Soldotna is $277,300 — 9% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,104/month, 16% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $62,984/year is 16% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 5.6%, above the national average of 4.8%. Alaska charges no state income tax, a meaningful advantage for take-home pay. The climate averages highs of 43.5°F and lows of 27.7°F. Overall, Soldotna has a cost of living index of 88 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 12% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$277,300
9% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$349,681
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,104/mo
16% below avg
Zillow Rent
$1,800/mo
Zillow ZORI
Price-to-Rent Ratio
20.9x
Favors renting
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 58.1%
Renter-occupied 41.9%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,104
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,718/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
13.6 min
50% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
4.1%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
63.4%
Carpooled
19.5%
Public transit
1.8%
Walked
5.2%
Bicycle
0.7%
Work from home
4.1%

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
$62,984
16% below avg
Per Capita Income
$35,118
Unemployment Rate
5.6%
17% above avg
Poverty Rate
18.5%
Labor Force Participation
58.5%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 13.5%
Graduate degree 7.9%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 34.2
Male median age 29.8
Female median age 39

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
43.5°F
Avg Low
27.7°F
Annual Precip
18.3"
18° 35° 53° 70° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 222833445560636356433025
Low °F 71214283644494740291611
Precip" 0.890.830.640.580.791.201.982.683.572.561.411.14

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 10 — Good
100%
Good air days/yr
29
Max AQI recorded
119
PM2.5 days
0
Ozone days

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Soldotna, AK?

Soldotna has a cost index of 88 (100 = national average). It is 12% below the national average.

What is average rent in Soldotna, AK?

The median gross rent in Soldotna is $1,104 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Soldotna?

The median home value in Soldotna is $277,300 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Soldotna?

The median household income in Soldotna is $62,984 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Soldotna, AK?

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

Is Soldotna, AK affordable?

Yes, Soldotna is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 88 — about 12% below the US national average of 100.

What is the weather like in Soldotna?

Soldotna has average high temperatures of 43.5°F and average lows of 27.7°F. Annual precipitation is 18.3". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Soldotna at a Glance

Population
4,448
Median Income
$62,984
Home Value
$277,300
Median Rent
$1,104/mo
Unemployment
5.6%
Avg High Temp
43.5°F
Sales Tax
1.8%
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