Median one-bedroom rent across the cities we track is $1,052 in Alaska versus $1,305 in Colorado. Overall, Alaska runs roughly 19% cheaper on rent than Colorado, its main day-to-day cost driver.
Median household income across tracked cities is $98,152 in Alaska and $85,364 in Colorado — about 13% higher in Alaska. Alaska has no state income tax and no state sales tax; Colorado has a top state income tax rate of 4.40% and a 2.9% state sales tax.
State Taxes
Sales Tax
None
2.9%
+2.9 pp in Colorado
Income Tax (top rate)
None
4.40%
+4.4 pp in Colorado
Housing (median across tracked cities)
Median 1BR Rent
$1,052
$1,305
+24% in Colorado
Median Home Value
$375,900
$586,700
+56% in Colorado
Income (median across tracked cities)
Median Household Income
$98,152
$85,364
+13% in Alaska
Climate (median across tracked cities)
Avg Annual Temperature
37.4°F
50.2°F
+12.8°F in Colorado
Alaska vs Colorado — FAQ
- Is it cheaper to live in Alaska or Colorado?
- Alaska is cheaper on rent — its median one-bedroom of $1,052 runs about 19% below Colorado's $1,305, based on the cities we track in each state.
- How much more do you need to earn to live in Alaska than in Colorado?
- 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 $52,000 in Colorado.
- Which has lower taxes, Alaska or Colorado?
- Alaska has no state income tax and no state sales tax. Colorado has a top state income tax rate of 4.40% and a 2.9% state sales tax.
Housing, income, and climate are medians across the 1/3 cities we track in Alaska/Colorado — 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.