Median one-bedroom rent across the cities we track is $1,052 in Alaska versus $1,688 in California. Overall, Alaska runs roughly 38% cheaper on rent than California, its main day-to-day cost driver.
Median household income across tracked cities is $98,152 in Alaska and $83,969 in California — about 14% higher in Alaska. Alaska has no state income tax and no state sales tax; California has a top state income tax rate of 13.30% and a 7.25% state sales tax.
State Taxes
Sales Tax
None
7.25%
+7.3 pp in California
Income Tax (top rate)
None
13.30%
+13.3 pp in California
Housing (median across tracked cities)
Median 1BR Rent
$1,052
$1,688
+60% in California
Median Home Value
$375,900
$771,700
+105% in California
Income (median across tracked cities)
Median Household Income
$98,152
$83,969
+14% in Alaska
Climate (median across tracked cities)
Avg Annual Temperature
37.4°F
64.4°F
+27.0°F in California
Alaska vs California — FAQ
- Is it cheaper to live in Alaska or California?
- Alaska is cheaper on rent — its median one-bedroom of $1,052 runs about 38% below California's $1,688, based on the cities we track in each state.
- How much more do you need to earn to live in Alaska than in California?
- To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, based on median rent across tracked cities, you'd want to earn roughly $42,000 a year in Alaska versus $68,000 in California.
- Which has lower taxes, Alaska or California?
- Alaska has no state income tax and no state sales tax. California has a top state income tax rate of 13.30% and a 7.25% state sales tax.
Housing, income, and climate are medians across the 1/9 cities we track in Alaska/California — not population-weighted statewide figures. Taxes are exact state-level rates. Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year; NOAA Climate Normals 1981–2010; Tax Foundation 2026.