Median one-bedroom rent across the cities we track is $1,052 in Alaska versus $849 in Wisconsin. Overall, Wisconsin runs roughly 19% cheaper on rent than Alaska, its main day-to-day cost driver.
Median household income across tracked cities is $98,152 in Alaska and $62,546 in Wisconsin — about 36% higher in Alaska. Alaska has no state income tax and no state sales tax; Wisconsin has a top state income tax rate of 7.65% and a 5% state sales tax.
State Taxes
Sales Tax
None
5%
+5.0 pp in Wisconsin
Income Tax (top rate)
None
7.65%
+7.7 pp in Wisconsin
Housing (median across tracked cities)
Median 1BR Rent
$1,052
$849
+19% in Alaska
Median Home Value
$375,900
$191,500
+49% in Alaska
Income (median across tracked cities)
Median Household Income
$98,152
$62,546
+36% in Alaska
Climate (median across tracked cities)
Avg Annual Temperature
37.4°F
46.5°F
+9.1°F in Wisconsin
Alaska vs Wisconsin — FAQ
- Is it cheaper to live in Alaska or Wisconsin?
- Wisconsin is cheaper on rent — its median one-bedroom of $849 runs about 19% 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 Wisconsin?
- 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 $34,000 in Wisconsin.
- Which has lower taxes, Alaska or Wisconsin?
- Alaska has no state income tax and no state sales tax. Wisconsin has a top state income tax rate of 7.65% and a 5% state sales tax.
Housing, income, and climate are medians across the 1/3 cities we track in Alaska/Wisconsin — 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.