Median one-bedroom rent across the cities we track is $1,076 in Alaska versus $1,080 in Oregon. The two are close on rent, within a few percent of each other.
Median household income across tracked cities is $98,152 in Alaska and $71,900 in Oregon — about 27% higher in Alaska. Alaska has no state income tax and no state sales tax; Oregon has a top state income tax rate of 9.90% and no state sales tax.
State Taxes
Sales Tax
None
None
about equal
Income Tax (top rate)
None
9.90%
+9.9 pp in Oregon
Housing (median across tracked cities)
Median 1BR Rent
$1,076
$1,080
+0% in Oregon
Median Home Value
$375,900
$435,400
+16% in Oregon
Income (median across tracked cities)
Median Household Income
$98,152
$71,900
+27% in Alaska
Climate (median across tracked cities)
Avg Annual Temperature
37.4°F
53.0°F
+15.6°F in Oregon
Alaska vs Oregon — FAQ
- Is it cheaper to live in Alaska or Oregon?
- They're close. Median one-bedroom rent runs $1,076 in Alaska and $1,080 in Oregon — within a few percent of each other.
- How much more do you need to earn to live in Alaska than in Oregon?
- To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, based on median rent across tracked cities, you'd want to earn roughly $43,000 a year in Alaska versus $43,000 in Oregon.
- Which has lower taxes, Alaska or Oregon?
- Alaska has no state income tax and no state sales tax. Oregon has a top state income tax rate of 9.90% and no state sales tax.
Housing, income, and climate are medians across the 3/3 cities we track in Alaska/Oregon — 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.