Median one-bedroom rent across the cities we track is $1,052 in Alaska versus $978 in New Jersey. Overall, New Jersey runs roughly 7% cheaper on rent than Alaska, its main day-to-day cost driver.
Median household income across tracked cities is $98,152 in Alaska and $48,416 in New Jersey — about 51% higher in Alaska. Alaska has no state income tax and no state sales tax; New Jersey has a top state income tax rate of 10.75% and a 6.625% state sales tax.
State Taxes
Sales Tax
None
6.625%
+6.6 pp in New Jersey
Income Tax (top rate)
None
10.75%
+10.8 pp in New Jersey
Housing (median across tracked cities)
Median 1BR Rent
$1,052
$978
+7% in Alaska
Median Home Value
$375,900
$337,800
+10% in Alaska
Income (median across tracked cities)
Median Household Income
$98,152
$48,416
+51% in Alaska
Climate (median across tracked cities)
Avg Annual Temperature
37.4°F
54.9°F
+17.5°F in New Jersey
Alaska vs New Jersey — FAQ
- Is it cheaper to live in Alaska or New Jersey?
- New Jersey is cheaper on rent — its median one-bedroom of $978 runs about 7% 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 New Jersey?
- 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 $39,000 in New Jersey.
- Which has lower taxes, Alaska or New Jersey?
- Alaska has no state income tax and no state sales tax. New Jersey has a top state income tax rate of 10.75% and a 6.625% state sales tax.
Housing, income, and climate are medians across the 1/1 cities we track in Alaska/New Jersey — 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.