Median one-bedroom rent across the cities we track is $1,052 in Alaska versus $854 in Louisiana. Overall, Louisiana runs roughly 19% cheaper on rent than Alaska, its main day-to-day cost driver.
Median household income across tracked cities is $98,152 in Alaska and $49,944 in Louisiana — about 49% higher in Alaska. Alaska has no state income tax and no state sales tax; Louisiana has a top state income tax rate of 3.00% and a 5% state sales tax.
State Taxes
Sales Tax
None
5%
+5.0 pp in Louisiana
Income Tax (top rate)
None
3.00%
+3.0 pp in Louisiana
Housing (median across tracked cities)
Median 1BR Rent
$1,052
$854
+19% in Alaska
Median Home Value
$375,900
$224,500
+40% in Alaska
Income (median across tracked cities)
Median Household Income
$98,152
$49,944
+49% in Alaska
Climate (median across tracked cities)
Avg Annual Temperature
37.4°F
68.5°F
+31.1°F in Louisiana
Alaska vs Louisiana — FAQ
- Is it cheaper to live in Alaska or Louisiana?
- Louisiana is cheaper on rent — its median one-bedroom of $854 runs about 19% below Alaska's $1,052, based on the cities we track in each state.
- How much more do you need to earn to live in Alaska than in Louisiana?
- 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 $34,000 in Louisiana.
- Which has lower taxes, Alaska or Louisiana?
- Alaska has no state income tax and no state sales tax. Louisiana has a top state income tax rate of 3.00% and a 5% state sales tax.
Housing, income, and climate are medians across the 1/3 cities we track in Alaska/Louisiana — 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.