Median one-bedroom rent across the cities we track is $1,052 in Alaska versus $1,275 in Vermont. Overall, Alaska runs roughly 17% cheaper on rent than Vermont, its main day-to-day cost driver.
Median household income across tracked cities is $98,152 in Alaska and $68,854 in Vermont — about 30% higher in Alaska. Alaska has no state income tax and no state sales tax; Vermont has a top state income tax rate of 8.75% and a 6% state sales tax.
State Taxes
Sales Tax
None
6%
+6.0 pp in Vermont
Income Tax (top rate)
None
8.75%
+8.8 pp in Vermont
Housing (median across tracked cities)
Median 1BR Rent
$1,052
$1,275
+21% in Vermont
Median Home Value
$375,900
$400,200
+6% in Vermont
Income (median across tracked cities)
Median Household Income
$98,152
$68,854
+30% in Alaska
Climate (median across tracked cities)
Avg Annual Temperature
37.4°F
46.0°F
+8.6°F in Vermont
Alaska vs Vermont — FAQ
- Is it cheaper to live in Alaska or Vermont?
- Alaska is cheaper on rent — its median one-bedroom of $1,052 runs about 17% below Vermont's $1,275, based on the cities we track in each state.
- How much more do you need to earn to live in Alaska than in Vermont?
- 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 $51,000 in Vermont.
- Which has lower taxes, Alaska or Vermont?
- Alaska has no state income tax and no state sales tax. Vermont has a top state income tax rate of 8.75% and a 6% state sales tax.
Housing, income, and climate are medians across the 1/1 cities we track in Alaska/Vermont — 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.