Median one-bedroom rent across the cities we track is $1,076 in Alaska versus $764 in Wyoming. Overall, Wyoming runs roughly 29% cheaper on rent than Alaska, its main day-to-day cost driver.
Median household income across tracked cities is $98,152 in Alaska and $69,171 in Wyoming — about 30% higher in Alaska. Alaska has no state income tax and no state sales tax; Wyoming has no state income tax and a 4% state sales tax.
State Taxes
Sales Tax
None
4%
+4.0 pp in Wyoming
Income Tax (top rate)
None
None
about equal
Housing (median across tracked cities)
Median 1BR Rent
$1,076
$764
+29% in Alaska
Median Home Value
$375,900
$302,200
+20% in Alaska
Income (median across tracked cities)
Median Household Income
$98,152
$69,171
+30% in Alaska
Climate (median across tracked cities)
Avg Annual Temperature
37.4°F
45.4°F
+8.0°F in Wyoming
Alaska vs Wyoming — FAQ
- Is it cheaper to live in Alaska or Wyoming?
- Wyoming is cheaper on rent — its median one-bedroom of $764 runs about 29% below Alaska's $1,076, based on the cities we track in each state.
- How much more do you need to earn to live in Alaska than in Wyoming?
- To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, based on median rent across tracked cities, you'd want to earn roughly $43,000 a year in Alaska versus $31,000 in Wyoming.
- Which has lower taxes, Alaska or Wyoming?
- Alaska has no state income tax and no state sales tax. Wyoming has no state income tax and a 4% state sales tax.
Housing, income, and climate are medians across the 3/3 cities we track in Alaska/Wyoming — 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.