Median one-bedroom rent across the cities we track is $1,052 in Alaska versus $1,030 in Rhode Island. Overall, Rhode Island runs roughly 2% cheaper on rent than Alaska, its main day-to-day cost driver.
Median household income across tracked cities is $98,152 in Alaska and $66,772 in Rhode Island — about 32% higher in Alaska. Alaska has no state income tax and no state sales tax; Rhode Island has a top state income tax rate of 5.99% and a 7% state sales tax.
State Taxes
Sales Tax
None
7%
+7.0 pp in Rhode Island
Income Tax (top rate)
None
5.99%
+6.0 pp in Rhode Island
Housing (median across tracked cities)
Median 1BR Rent
$1,052
$1,030
+2% in Alaska
Median Home Value
$375,900
$322,800
+14% in Alaska
Income (median across tracked cities)
Median Household Income
$98,152
$66,772
+32% in Alaska
Climate (median across tracked cities)
Avg Annual Temperature
37.4°F
51.6°F
+14.2°F in Rhode Island
Alaska vs Rhode Island — FAQ
- Is it cheaper to live in Alaska or Rhode Island?
- Rhode Island is cheaper on rent — its median one-bedroom of $1,030 runs about 2% 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 Rhode Island?
- 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 $41,000 in Rhode Island.
- Which has lower taxes, Alaska or Rhode Island?
- Alaska has no state income tax and no state sales tax. Rhode Island has a top state income tax rate of 5.99% and a 7% state sales tax.
Housing, income, and climate are medians across the 1/1 cities we track in Alaska/Rhode Island — 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.