Median one-bedroom rent across the cities we track is $1,052 in Alaska versus $1,195 in Virginia. Overall, Alaska runs roughly 12% cheaper on rent than Virginia, its main day-to-day cost driver.
Median household income across tracked cities is $98,152 in Alaska and $64,017 in Virginia — about 35% higher in Alaska. Alaska has no state income tax and no state sales tax; Virginia has a top state income tax rate of 5.75% and a 5.3% state sales tax.
State Taxes
Sales Tax
None
5.3%
+5.3 pp in Virginia
Income Tax (top rate)
None
5.75%
+5.8 pp in Virginia
Housing (median across tracked cities)
Median 1BR Rent
$1,052
$1,195
+14% in Virginia
Median Home Value
$375,900
$328,100
+13% in Alaska
Income (median across tracked cities)
Median Household Income
$98,152
$64,017
+35% in Alaska
Climate (median across tracked cities)
Avg Annual Temperature
37.4°F
59.9°F
+22.5°F in Virginia
Alaska vs Virginia — FAQ
- Is it cheaper to live in Alaska or Virginia?
- Alaska is cheaper on rent — its median one-bedroom of $1,052 runs about 12% below Virginia's $1,195, based on the cities we track in each state.
- How much more do you need to earn to live in Alaska than in Virginia?
- 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 $48,000 in Virginia.
- Which has lower taxes, Alaska or Virginia?
- Alaska has no state income tax and no state sales tax. Virginia has a top state income tax rate of 5.75% and a 5.3% state sales tax.
Housing, income, and climate are medians across the 1/3 cities we track in Alaska/Virginia — 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.