Median one-bedroom rent across the cities we track is $1,052 in Alaska versus $1,133 in Idaho. Overall, Alaska runs roughly 7% cheaper on rent than Idaho, its main day-to-day cost driver.
Median household income across tracked cities is $98,152 in Alaska and $81,308 in Idaho — about 17% higher in Alaska. Alaska has no state income tax and no state sales tax; Idaho has a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% state sales tax.
State Taxes
Sales Tax
None
6%
+6.0 pp in Idaho
Income Tax (top rate)
None
5.30%
+5.3 pp in Idaho
Housing (median across tracked cities)
Median 1BR Rent
$1,052
$1,133
+8% in Idaho
Median Home Value
$375,900
$456,000
+21% in Idaho
Income (median across tracked cities)
Median Household Income
$98,152
$81,308
+17% in Alaska
Climate (median across tracked cities)
Avg Annual Temperature
37.4°F
52.5°F
+15.1°F in Idaho
Alaska vs Idaho — FAQ
- Is it cheaper to live in Alaska or Idaho?
- Alaska is cheaper on rent — its median one-bedroom of $1,052 runs about 7% below Idaho's $1,133, based on the cities we track in each state.
- How much more do you need to earn to live in Alaska than in Idaho?
- 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 $45,000 in Idaho.
- Which has lower taxes, Alaska or Idaho?
- Alaska has no state income tax and no state sales tax. Idaho has a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% state sales tax.
Housing, income, and climate are medians across the 1/1 cities we track in Alaska/Idaho — 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.