Alaska
Known as the ‘Last Frontier,’ Alaska is the 49th state of the Union and a mostly rural state to the far north of the rest of the country. The United States purchased Alaska in 1867 from the then Russian Empire and was granted statehood in 1959.
Alaska is twice the size of Texas and features a vast and unique array of wildlife. For the outdoorsman, Alaska is a breath of fresh air, both literally and figuratively; you will be surrounded by wilderness for the majority of your stay. Hiking, mountain climbing, rafting, fishing, and hunting are all staples of the stunning outdoors of Alaska.
Alaska often conveys a lonely, extreme climate of below-freezing temperatures all over, but it is an incredibly diverse region that has a whole range of different temperatures. In the summer, you could expect the weather to be a pleasant 70 degrees and have nearly 24 hours of daylight.
However, just because Alaska has some pleasant temperatures doesn’t mean that it’s immune from extreme cold. The state can go through extremely long winters with freezing temperatures. During these winters, some cities get only a few hours of sunlight a day. Those who can’t brave the winter weather, look elsewhere.
Since its temperatures and geography are so prevalent, the economy is heavily focused on industry jobs. However, job seekers of all stripes will find something attractive about the state, as it is always looking for eager and determined individuals to fill positions in nearly every industry. The image of Alaska strictly being a blue-collar, logging state is only partly actual. You will find jobs in government, tourism, healthcare, and the military. For digital ‘nomads’, remote content creators, social media managers, and technical writers Alaska could be a viable option. Bookkeepers, CPAs, and other financial fields are also abundant in Alaska’s cities.
Housing in Alaska
The cost of living in Alaska could prove to be higher than in other states. Its wide, open spaces and a rather small population doesn’t detract from its home prices and cost of goods. Living in major cities like Anchorage and Juneau offers similar city life to cities residing in other states. The average lease for an apartment is ~$1,200 per month.
Taxes in Alaska
Buyers will be pleased to know the sales tax in Alaska is 0%. However, citizens will often be paying more for food and other necessities. Milk, bread, and other food items cost more than they do in the lower 48 states.
Property taxes are higher than the national average. On a home in Anchorage valued at $350,000, the median cost of a home, one could expect to pay $4,610 with an average tax rate of 1.317%. This is significantly higher than the national average and much higher than the rest of Alaska.
