Median one-bedroom rent across the cities we track is $1,052 in Alaska versus $1,100 in Pennsylvania. Overall, Alaska runs roughly 4% cheaper on rent than Pennsylvania, its main day-to-day cost driver.
Median household income across tracked cities is $98,152 in Alaska and $60,698 in Pennsylvania — about 38% higher in Alaska. Alaska has no state income tax and no state sales tax; Pennsylvania has a top state income tax rate of 3.07% and a 6% state sales tax.
State Taxes
Sales Tax
None
6%
+6.0 pp in Pennsylvania
Income Tax (top rate)
None
3.07%
+3.1 pp in Pennsylvania
Housing (median across tracked cities)
Median 1BR Rent
$1,052
$1,100
+5% in Pennsylvania
Median Home Value
$375,900
$193,200
+49% in Alaska
Income (median across tracked cities)
Median Household Income
$98,152
$60,698
+38% in Alaska
Climate (median across tracked cities)
Avg Annual Temperature
37.4°F
51.8°F
+14.4°F in Pennsylvania
Alaska vs Pennsylvania — FAQ
- Is it cheaper to live in Alaska or Pennsylvania?
- Alaska is cheaper on rent — its median one-bedroom of $1,052 runs about 4% below Pennsylvania's $1,100, based on the cities we track in each state.
- How much more do you need to earn to live in Alaska than in Pennsylvania?
- 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 $44,000 in Pennsylvania.
- Which has lower taxes, Alaska or Pennsylvania?
- Alaska has no state income tax and no state sales tax. Pennsylvania has a top state income tax rate of 3.07% and a 6% state sales tax.
Housing, income, and climate are medians across the 1/3 cities we track in Alaska/Pennsylvania — 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.