Median one-bedroom rent across the cities we track is $1,052 in Alaska versus $1,978 in Massachusetts. Overall, Alaska runs roughly 47% cheaper on rent than Massachusetts, its main day-to-day cost driver.
Median household income across tracked cities is $98,152 in Alaska and $94,755 in Massachusetts — about 3% higher in Alaska. Alaska has no state income tax and no state sales tax; Massachusetts has a top state income tax rate of 9.00% and a 6.25% state sales tax.
State Taxes
Sales Tax
None
6.25%
+6.3 pp in Massachusetts
Income Tax (top rate)
None
9.00%
+9.0 pp in Massachusetts
Housing (median across tracked cities)
Median 1BR Rent
$1,052
$1,978
+88% in Massachusetts
Median Home Value
$375,900
$710,400
+89% in Massachusetts
Income (median across tracked cities)
Median Household Income
$98,152
$94,755
+3% in Alaska
Climate (median across tracked cities)
Avg Annual Temperature
37.4°F
51.5°F
+14.1°F in Massachusetts
Alaska vs Massachusetts — FAQ
- Is it cheaper to live in Alaska or Massachusetts?
- Alaska is cheaper on rent — its median one-bedroom of $1,052 runs about 47% below Massachusetts's $1,978, based on the cities we track in each state.
- How much more do you need to earn to live in Alaska than in Massachusetts?
- 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 $79,000 in Massachusetts.
- Which has lower taxes, Alaska or Massachusetts?
- Alaska has no state income tax and no state sales tax. Massachusetts has a top state income tax rate of 9.00% and a 6.25% state sales tax.
Housing, income, and climate are medians across the 1/1 cities we track in Alaska/Massachusetts — 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.