Median one-bedroom rent across the cities we track is $1,052 in Alaska versus $863 in Oklahoma. Overall, Oklahoma 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 $65,060 in Oklahoma — about 34% higher in Alaska. Alaska has no state income tax and no state sales tax; Oklahoma has a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 4.5% state sales tax.
State Taxes
Sales Tax
None
4.5%
+4.5 pp in Oklahoma
Income Tax (top rate)
None
4.50%
+4.5 pp in Oklahoma
Housing (median across tracked cities)
Median 1BR Rent
$1,052
$863
+18% in Alaska
Median Home Value
$375,900
$215,100
+43% in Alaska
Income (median across tracked cities)
Median Household Income
$98,152
$65,060
+34% in Alaska
Climate (median across tracked cities)
Avg Annual Temperature
37.4°F
61.5°F
+24.1°F in Oklahoma
Alaska vs Oklahoma — FAQ
- Is it cheaper to live in Alaska or Oklahoma?
- Oklahoma is cheaper on rent — its median one-bedroom of $863 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 Oklahoma?
- 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 Oklahoma.
- Which has lower taxes, Alaska or Oklahoma?
- Alaska has no state income tax and no state sales tax. Oklahoma has a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 4.5% state sales tax.
Housing, income, and climate are medians across the 1/3 cities we track in Alaska/Oklahoma — 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.