Median one-bedroom rent across the cities we track is $1,052 in Alaska versus $866 in Missouri. Overall, Missouri runs roughly 18% cheaper on rent than Alaska, its main day-to-day cost driver.
Median household income across tracked cities is $98,152 in Alaska and $55,279 in Missouri — about 44% higher in Alaska. Alaska has no state income tax and no state sales tax; Missouri has a top state income tax rate of 4.70% and a 4.225% state sales tax.
State Taxes
Sales Tax
None
4.225%
+4.2 pp in Missouri
Income Tax (top rate)
None
4.70%
+4.7 pp in Missouri
Housing (median across tracked cities)
Median 1BR Rent
$1,052
$866
+18% in Alaska
Median Home Value
$375,900
$185,100
+51% in Alaska
Income (median across tracked cities)
Median Household Income
$98,152
$55,279
+44% in Alaska
Climate (median across tracked cities)
Avg Annual Temperature
37.4°F
56.3°F
+18.9°F in Missouri
Alaska vs Missouri — FAQ
- Is it cheaper to live in Alaska or Missouri?
- Missouri is cheaper on rent — its median one-bedroom of $866 runs about 18% 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 Missouri?
- 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 $35,000 in Missouri.
- Which has lower taxes, Alaska or Missouri?
- Alaska has no state income tax and no state sales tax. Missouri has a top state income tax rate of 4.70% and a 4.225% state sales tax.
Housing, income, and climate are medians across the 1/3 cities we track in Alaska/Missouri — 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.