Median one-bedroom rent across the cities we track is $1,052 in Alaska versus $857 in New York. Overall, New York 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 $48,050 in New York — about 51% higher in Alaska. Alaska has no state income tax and no state sales tax; New York has a top state income tax rate of 10.90% and a 4% state sales tax.
State Taxes
Sales Tax
None
4%
+4.0 pp in New York
Income Tax (top rate)
None
10.90%
+10.9 pp in New York
Housing (median across tracked cities)
Median 1BR Rent
$1,052
$857
+19% in Alaska
Median Home Value
$375,900
$152,300
+59% in Alaska
Income (median across tracked cities)
Median Household Income
$98,152
$48,050
+51% in Alaska
Climate (median across tracked cities)
Avg Annual Temperature
37.4°F
48.3°F
+10.9°F in New York
Alaska vs New York — FAQ
- Is it cheaper to live in Alaska or New York?
- New York is cheaper on rent — its median one-bedroom of $857 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 New York?
- 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 New York.
- Which has lower taxes, Alaska or New York?
- Alaska has no state income tax and no state sales tax. New York has a top state income tax rate of 10.90% and a 4% state sales tax.
Housing, income, and climate are medians across the 1/3 cities we track in Alaska/New York — 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.