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Alaska Real Estate For Sale
While the stunningly beautiful state of Alaska is a popular destination for travel, it is also the permanent home to over 738,000 nature-loving residents. Living in Alaska feels like a grand adventure in itself, with an abundance of wildlife roaming throughout the state and spectacular views at every turn. Alaska is not for the faint of heart, though. While much of Alaska real estate is complete with modern amenities and contemporary features, many boroughs are relatively isolated and reflect extreme small-town living. However, the community you’ll find in Alaska is unlike any other, and you will never have a lack of neighborly kindness in this state. Whether you search for real estate in Juneau, Fairbanks, or somewhere small like Seward, living in Alaska will give you a life full of adventure.
Alaska Real Estate Market
Homes for sale in Alaska tend to run on the expensive side compared to the U.S. average. The state-wide average for real estate in Alaska is around $388,648. Much like the Lower 48, Alaska has been experiencing an imbalance in supply and demand for real estate, causing prices to go up and days on the market to go down. Of course, depending on where you are looking at Alaska real estate for sale, you can find listings for much less or much more than that average number.
There are a number of cities, boroughs, and villages throughout Alaska to look at homes for sale in. Whether you want Alaska real estate in the state’s capital city or a house in a small town with 50 other people in it, you’ll find it in Alaska.
Major Cities in Alaska
- Anchorage: Nearly half of Alaska’s entire population resides in an Anchorage home, and the locals call it “the largest small town you’ll ever live in.” There are a number of urban restaurants and shops in Anchorage, but you’ll still receive that unbeatable close-knit community that Alaska has to offer. One of Anchorage's biggest pros is the absence of both sales and income tax, but property taxes continue to rise year over year. While many costs in Anchorage are lower than in other Alaska cities (food, utilities, etc.), Anchorage real estate costs are some of the highest in the state. In addition, Anchorage is one of the most transportation-friendly cities in Alaska, with an international airport and several highways within minutes of the city center.
- Juneau: The capital city of Juneau is rich in history and natural beauty. Juneau real estate is surrounded by ice fields, mountains, hiking trails, and other stunning landscapes. You’ll love spending your days exploring Juneau’s wildlife and all it has to offer with other friendly locals. The location of Juneau is worth noting, though. Don’t move here if you need to make a quick getaway to other cities every once in a while. You’ll have access to an airport, but other than that, Juneau is pretty isolated from the rest of Alaska. Located near a large rainforest, expect a good amount of clouds, rain, and snow in Juneau. Juneau’s cost of living is around ⅓ higher than other Alaska cities, but with the extra costs, you get serene beauty at every turn.
- Fairbanks: Known as the “Golden Heart City”, Fairbanks draws people in with its diverse culture, access to remote natural landscapes, and friendly community. Residents that own Fairbanks real estate can take advantage of hiking, camping, hunting, and four-wheeling opportunities, with some of the best Northern Lights viewing in the world. While there are many ways to stay busy in this nature-centered landscape, it comes with a cost. Homes in Fairbanks have access to a limited number of franchise shops and well-known stores. You’ll mostly be depending on local businesses (and Amazon Prime) to find what you need. When something is sold out, it’s often sold out for weeks. This supply/demand struggle causes Fairbanks to have a cost of living that is 33% higher than the national average.
Schools In Alaska
Alaska has a total of 509 schools within 54 different school districts. The Alaska Public School System offers education for PreK through 12th grade, with public, private, montessori, and religious schooling options. The Anchorage School District is by far the largest school district in Alaska, housing some of the top-rated schools in the state. Keep reading below to discover the top school districts in Alaska:
Best School Districts in Alaska
- Skagway School District: Located about 90 miles north of Juneau, Skagway offers the highest-ranked school system in Alaska. Rated by niche as the best school district in Alaska, number one school district with the best teachers, and the eighth-safest school district in Alaska, there’s no question why families choose Skagway to get the best education for their children.
- Petersburg Borough School District: Petersburg, AK, is situated between Juneau and Ketchikan. The Petersburg Borough School District is in the top 20 for best school districts, teachers, and most diverse schools in Alaska. With an A rating for academics, diversity, college prep, and safety, your child’s education is in good hands within the Petersburg Borough School District.
- Haines Borough School District: Just miles away from both Skagway and Juneau, the Haines Borough School District ranks #2 for best teachers in Alaska, #5 for the safest school districts, and #3 for overall best school district in the state. This school district offers a diverse array of clubs and activities for students to partake in, and excellence in academics and safety.
FAQ About Alaska Real Estate
Where are the top commercial airports in Alaska?
Much of the real estate in Alaska is over 2 hours from the nearest airport, so if plane access is important for your lifestyle, check out the cities that are closest to the following airports:
- Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport - Anchorage, AK
- Fairbanks International Airport - Fairbanks, AK
- Juneau International Airport - Juneau, AK
What are some must-see things in Alaska?
- Northern Lights (best in Fairbanks)
- Free-roaming bears and moose throughout the state
- Vast glaciers crashing into the ocean
- Whales splashing in their natural habitat (along with other ocean critters like otters, seals, and more!)
What are the top zip codes in Alaska?
What are the most popular counties in Alaska?
Some of the top counties in Alaska include:
- Anchorage County
- Juneau County
- Ketchikan Gateway County
What is the Average Household Income in Alaska?
The average household income in the state of Alaska is $98,811, while the median household income sits at $77,790.
What is the most affordable city in Alaska?
Which Alaska city has the best school district?
While Anchorage has the largest school district, the best school district in Alaska is the Skagway School District.
Living In Alaska
Alaska’s Climate
Alaska’s climate is unlike any other in the Lower 48. No matter where you buy real estate in Alaska, prepare for harsh, cold winters and mild summers. The locals claim that the four seasons in Alaska are Winter, June, July, and August. While weather and daylight hours vary from region to region, in the summer Alaskan cities can see up to 19 hours of daylight (24 hours in the Arctic Region). During the winter months, you may experience around 3 hours of daylight or less.
It’s common for those with real estate in Alaska to spend the winter months in another state to avoid being isolated with little sunlight. Hawaii is the most popular option for a winter getaway, but many people also travel back to somewhere in the Lower 48 to see loved ones and friends during the winter.
Retiring in Alaska
If you are born to brave the outdoors, Alaska can be an excellent state to retire in. Residents over the age of 65 pay zero property taxes on real estate in Alaska as long as their home is under $150,000. Retirement savings and pensions go a long way in Alaska, further than any other state in the U.S. Aside from the tax breaks, Alaska allows you to retire in serene spaces with exceptional views. If you’re considering buying a real estate in Alaska for retirement, we recommend Anchorage as it offers natural beauty with easy access to convenience stores, medical access, and transportation options.
Alaska Fun Facts
- Alaska is the biggest state in the U.S. by far, as its actual size is about ⅕ of the entire contiguous United States.
- 5% of the entire state is made up of glaciers, which many residents in other parts of the U.S. never get to see.
- Dog mushing is the official state sport of Alaska, and there are many opportunities to get involved in local and national races. The most popular race is the 1,049-mile Iditarod, in which around 60 mushers compete every year.
- The culture in Alaska heavily relies on outdoor activity, as hiking, fishing, skiing, snowshoeing, and hunting are the top ways that people in Alaska spend their time.
Alaska’s Job Market
Alaska ranks 20th in the U.S. for highest per capita income, but it also tends to be infamous for having the highest unemployment rate in the U.S. Much of this is due to the fact that there is a high amount of seasonal work that takes place in Alaska, with many residents only working throughout the summer. This skews the numbers a little bit, but don’t let that fool you into misconstruing the Alaskan work ethic.
Real estate in Alaska is rich with natural resources, so its economy reflects it as such. In addition, the amount of yearly travelers that visit the state has caused the tourism industry to boom, especially in Anchorage. Here are the most prominent industries in Alaska:
- Fishing
- Oil
- Forestry
- Coal
- Natural Gas
- Tourism