--The cost of living seems so high in Alaska?

 

While at first glance the cost of living (COL) may appear higher than that of places in the lower 48 -- after weighing out several factors, a person sees that it's really not quite as bad as they think.

See the below comparisons of Fairbanks  cost of living and Anchorage cost of living to several major cities in the lower 48 (note that Anchorage is 2% more expensive to live in than Fairbanks. While fuel and food are more in Fairbanks, housing is more in Anchorage):

 

compared to: Fairbanks COL is: main
reason		 Anchorage COL is: main
reason
Seattle 17% cheaper (housing) 16% cheaper (housing)
San Francisco 67% cheaper (housing) 64% cheaper (housing)
Dallas 17% higher (utilities) 19% higher (health)
Miami 18% cheaper (housing) 20% cheaper (housing)
New York City 46% cheaper (housing) 44% cheaper (housing)
Chicago 12% cheaper (housing) 11% cheaper (housing)
Pittsburg 33% higher (health) 26% higher (health)
Denver 7% higher (utilities) 8% higher (health)
Phoenix 8% higher (utilities) 10% higher (health)

 

So you see that based on things like food, housing, utilities, health, transportation, etc. -- The two biggest Alaska cities pretty well hold their own.

 

In addition, one must consider the fact that there is

1)  NO state income tax !

2) NO state sales tax !

&

3) Alaskans are paid a dividend from
the Permanent Fund every year!
 click here for more information

 

After you add it all up, Alaska isn't really higher and, in fact, it is cheaper than many other places!

 

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