Median one-bedroom rent across the cities we track is $1,052 in Alaska versus $1,170 in Texas. Overall, Alaska runs roughly 10% cheaper on rent than Texas, its main day-to-day cost driver.
Median household income across tracked cities is $98,152 in Alaska and $67,043 in Texas — about 32% higher in Alaska. Alaska has no state income tax and no state sales tax; Texas has no state income tax and a 6.25% state sales tax.
State Taxes
Sales Tax
None
6.25%
+6.3 pp in Texas
Income Tax (top rate)
None
None
about equal
Housing (median across tracked cities)
Median 1BR Rent
$1,052
$1,170
+11% in Texas
Median Home Value
$375,900
$264,900
+30% in Alaska
Income (median across tracked cities)
Median Household Income
$98,152
$67,043
+32% in Alaska
Climate (median across tracked cities)
Avg Annual Temperature
37.4°F
67.2°F
+29.8°F in Texas
Alaska vs Texas — FAQ
- Is it cheaper to live in Alaska or Texas?
- Alaska is cheaper on rent — its median one-bedroom of $1,052 runs about 10% below Texas's $1,170, based on the cities we track in each state.
- How much more do you need to earn to live in Alaska than in Texas?
- 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 $47,000 in Texas.
- Which has lower taxes, Alaska or Texas?
- Alaska has no state income tax and no state sales tax. Texas has no state income tax and a 6.25% state sales tax.
Housing, income, and climate are medians across the 1/8 cities we track in Alaska/Texas — 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.