Alaska vs New York Cost of Living
Purchasing power
Your $75,000 is worth different amounts in each state
$59,195
in Alaska
$59,618
in New York
Each cell = 1% of purchasing power. Green = value, red = gap.
Spending breakdown
Estimated annual spending on a $75,000 salary
What things actually cost
Real dollar costs side by side
Category breakdown
| Category | Alaska | New York | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | 123.6 | 174.7 | -29% |
| Groceries | 125.0 | 103.3 | +21% |
| Utilities | 156.5 | 101.5 | +54% |
| Transportation | 120.2 | 108.1 | +11% |
| Healthcare | 139.2 | 110.9 | +26% |
| Dining & Misc | 122.6 | 105.8 | +16% |
| Overall | 126.7 | 125.8 | +1% |
Index values relative to national average (100). Positive difference = more expensive in Alaska.
What things actually cost
| Item | Alaska | New York | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home price | $340,000 | $450,000 | $110,000 |
| Average 2BR rent | $1,730/mo | $2,446/mo | $716 |
| Gas price | $3.95/gal | $3.47/gal | +$0.48 |
| Electric bill | $196/mo | $174/mo | +$22 |
| Infant childcare | $20,943/yr | $17,361/yr | +$3,582 |
Salary equivalent: Alaska → New York
What a Alaska salary buys you in New York, adjusted for cost of living.
| Salary in Alaska | Equivalent in New York | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $50,000 | $49,645 | +$355 |
| $75,000 | $74,467 | +$533 |
| $100,000 | $99,290 | +$710 |
| $150,000 | $148,934 | +$1,066 |
| $200,000 | $198,579 | +$1,421 |
Positive = your money goes further in New York. Based on overall COL index ratio.
Based on MERIC/C2ER 2025 composite indices. Dollar amounts from AAA, EIA, Zillow, and Child Care Aware.
Overview
Alaska and New York have nearly identical costs of living, with overall indices of 126.7 and 125.8 (national average = 100).
FAQ
Is it cheaper to live in Alaska or New York?
Alaska and New York have roughly the same cost of living, with less than 1% difference in the MERIC/C2ER composite index.
Is New York cheaper than Alaska?
Alaska and New York cost roughly the same to live in.
Is Alaska more expensive than New York?
Alaska and New York have nearly identical costs of living — the difference is less than 1%.
What salary in New York equals $100,000 in Alaska?
To maintain the same purchasing power as a $100,000 salary in Alaska, you would need approximately $99,290 in New York. This is based on the overall cost-of-living index (126.7 vs 125.8).
How do housing costs compare between Alaska and New York?
Housing is significantly cheaper in Alaska. Median home prices are $340,000 in Alaska vs $450,000 in New York — a $110,000 difference. Average 2-bedroom rent is $1,730/mo vs $2,446/mo.
What costs more in Alaska vs New York?
Utilities is 54% higher in Alaska (index 156.5 vs 101.5). Housing is 29% lower in Alaska (index 123.6 vs 174.7). Healthcare is 26% higher in Alaska (index 139.2 vs 110.9).
Is gas cheaper in Alaska or New York?
Gas averages $3.95/gallon in Alaska and $3.47/gallon in New York — a $0.48 difference per gallon.
Alaska vs New York cost of living — how do they compare?
Alaska has an overall cost-of-living index of 126.7 and New York has 125.8 (national average = 100). They are nearly identical. Use the calculator above to see how this affects your specific salary.
How do taxes compare between Alaska and New York?
Cost of living is only part of the picture — state income taxes also affect your take-home pay. Alaska has no state income tax and no state sales tax. It funds government primarily through oil revenue. New York has a progressive income tax up to 10.90%, and NYC residents pay an additional city income tax of up to 3.876%. Use the Alaska vs New York paycheck comparison to see how a specific salary compares after federal and state taxes, FICA, and deductions.
Do I need to file state tax returns in Alaska and New York?
Alaska has no state income tax, so residents do not file a state tax return. New York requires residents to file a state income tax return annually, typically due April 15. If you move between states mid-year, you typically file a part-year resident return in each state for the income earned while living there.
Where does this cost of living data come from?
Cost-of-living indices are from the MERIC/C2ER 2025 Annual Average. Dollar amounts use AAA gas prices (March 2025), EIA electricity rates (2024), Child Care Aware childcare costs (2024), Zillow home values (2024-2025), and BEA Regional Price Parities.
Related tools
- Alaska Cost of Living — Housing, groceries, gas, and more
- New York Cost of Living — Housing, groceries, gas, and more
- Alaska vs New York Paycheck Comparison — Compare take-home pay after taxes
- House Affordability in Alaska — How much house can you afford?
- House Affordability in New York — How much house can you afford?
- Alaska Tax Brackets — See 2026 marginal rates
- New York Tax Brackets — See 2026 marginal rates
- Alaska Mortgage Calculator — Estimate monthly payments with local rates
- New York Mortgage Calculator — Estimate monthly payments with local rates
- Alaska Bonus Tax Calculator — See how bonuses are taxed differently
- New York Bonus Tax Calculator — See how bonuses are taxed differently
- Gross-Up Calculator — Find the salary you need to hit a target take-home
- Salary to Hourly Converter — Convert annual salary to hourly rate
- Compare any two states
Based on MERIC/C2ER 2025 composite indices and publicly available price data. Cost of living varies significantly by metro area within a state. These are statewide averages.