Cost of Living in Wasilla, AK

Population 9,435 · Alaska · Data vintage 2023

98
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 Wasilla a small-town character that shows up in every data point below — from the commute patterns to the rental inventory. A typical home runs $325,000. Unemployment has stayed elevated relative to the national figure — 8.5% as of the most recent ACS release — which shows up in household-income and poverty figures as well.

Located 30 miles northwest of Anchorage, Wasilla falls within that metro's commuting orbit. Median home values run roughly 14% lower than Anchorage's $376,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 107
Rent 84

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

About the Cost of Living in Wasilla

The median home value in Wasilla is $325,000 — 7% above 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 $70,756/year is 5% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 8.5%, above the national average of 4.8%. Alaska charges no state income tax, a meaningful advantage for take-home pay. Overall, Wasilla has a cost of living index of 98 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 2% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$325,000
7% above avg
Zillow Home Value
$408,224
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,104/mo
16% below avg
Zillow Rent
$1,722/mo
Zillow ZORI
Price-to-Rent Ratio
24.5x
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 52.1%
Renter-occupied 47.9%

💰 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
32.0 min
19% above avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
5.9%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
76.1%
Carpooled
9.3%
Public transit
1.0%
Walked
1.7%
Bicycle
0.2%
Work from home
5.9%

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
$70,756
5% below avg
Per Capita Income
$40,192
Unemployment Rate
8.5%
76% above avg
Poverty Rate
15.1%
Labor Force Participation
56.5%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 12.0%
Graduate degree 6.5%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 35.3
Male median age 33.3
Female median age 38.3

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 14 — Good
88.5%
Good air days/yr
102
Max AQI recorded
301
PM2.5 days
0
Ozone days

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Wasilla, AK?

Wasilla has a cost index of 98 (100 = national average). It is 2% below the national average.

What is average rent in Wasilla, AK?

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

What is the average home price in Wasilla?

The median home value in Wasilla is $325,000 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Wasilla?

The median household income in Wasilla is $70,756 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Wasilla, AK?

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

Is Wasilla, AK affordable?

Wasilla is near the national average in terms of cost of living, with an index of 98 (100 = US average).

Wasilla at a Glance

Population
9,435
Median Income
$70,756
Home Value
$325,000
Median Rent
$1,104/mo
Unemployment
8.5%
Sales Tax
1.8%
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🗺️ County data for Alaska

Explore county-level cost of living data

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