Median one-bedroom rent across the cities we track is $1,052 in Alaska versus $817 in Ohio. Overall, Ohio runs roughly 22% cheaper on rent than Alaska, its main day-to-day cost driver.
Median household income across tracked cities is $98,152 in Alaska and $51,707 in Ohio — about 47% higher in Alaska. Alaska has no state income tax and no state sales tax; Ohio has a top state income tax rate of 2.75% and a 5.75% state sales tax.
State Taxes
Sales Tax
None
5.75%
+5.8 pp in Ohio
Income Tax (top rate)
None
2.75%
+2.8 pp in Ohio
Housing (median across tracked cities)
Median 1BR Rent
$1,052
$817
+22% in Alaska
Median Home Value
$375,900
$215,300
+43% in Alaska
Income (median across tracked cities)
Median Household Income
$98,152
$51,707
+47% in Alaska
Climate (median across tracked cities)
Avg Annual Temperature
37.4°F
52.7°F
+15.3°F in Ohio
Alaska vs Ohio — FAQ
- Is it cheaper to live in Alaska or Ohio?
- Ohio is cheaper on rent — its median one-bedroom of $817 runs about 22% 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 Ohio?
- 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 $33,000 in Ohio.
- Which has lower taxes, Alaska or Ohio?
- Alaska has no state income tax and no state sales tax. Ohio has a top state income tax rate of 2.75% and a 5.75% state sales tax.
Housing, income, and climate are medians across the 1/3 cities we track in Alaska/Ohio — 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.