Cost of living comparison
Alaska is 4.2% cheaper than California.
- Restaurants
-
pay 6.7% more in Alaska
- Groceries
-
pay 12.7% more in Alaska
- Transportation
-
pay 12.9% less in Alaska
- Housing
-
pay 0.4% more in Alaska
- Childcare
-
pay 55.2% less in Alaska
- Entertainment and Sports
-
pay 10.9% more in Alaska
- Clothing
-
pay 7.8% more in Alaska
The cost of groceries, entertainment and sports, clothing, restaurants, and housing in Alaska are more expensive than in California. Expenses including childcare and transportation are lower in Alaska.
If you lived in Alaska instead of California, you would:
pay 6.7% more for restaurants
|
California
|
Alaska
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic meal with drink at inexpensive restaurant |
$21.02
|
$26.50
|
|
|
Fast food combo meal
McDonalds, or similar
|
$11.52
|
$12.71
|
|
| Bottle of Coca-Cola (11 fl. oz) |
$2.71
|
$2.60
|
|
| Bottle of water (11 fl. oz) |
$2.16
|
$2.03
|
|
pay 12.7% more for groceries
|
California
|
Alaska
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Bread
1 loaf
|
$4.14
|
$4.74
|
|
| Local cheese (8 oz) |
$6.95
|
$7.90
|
|
| Milk (1 gallon) |
$4.61
|
$4.55
|
|
|
Eggs
1 dozen
|
$4.33
|
$3.69
|
|
| Boneless chicken breast (1 lb) |
$5.70
|
$6.20
|
|
| Apples (1 lb) |
$2.34
|
$3.35
|
|
| Bananas (1 lb) |
$0.92
|
$1.11
|
|
| Oranges (1 lb) |
$1.91
|
$2.54
|
|
| Tomatoes (1 lb) |
$2.38
|
$2.93
|
|
| Potatoes (1 lb) |
$1.39
|
$1.26
|
|
| Onions (1 lb) |
$1.44
|
$1.56
|
|
pay 12.9% less for transportation
|
California
|
Alaska
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
| Gasoline (1 gallon) |
$4.83
|
$4.22
|
|
| Monthly public transit pass |
$62.05
|
$51.67
|
|
| New Volkswagen Golf 1.4 (standard edition) |
$30,005.28
|
$27,113.17
|
|
| Taxi trip in downtown area (5 miles) |
$20.07
|
$17.54
|
|
pay 0.4% more for housing
|
California
|
Alaska
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Internet connection
50 mbps or faster, cable/dsl
|
$68.54
|
$122.81
|
|
| 1-Bedroom apartment in downtown area |
$2,371.29
|
$1,483.44
|
|
| 1-Bedroom apartment outside city center |
$2,055.18
|
$1,298.81
|
|
|
Utilities for two
(700 sq ft apartment)
including electric, gas, water, heating
|
$171.68
|
$165.96
|
|
pay 55.2% less for childcare
|
California
|
Alaska
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
| Private preschool for 1 child, monthly |
$1,682.51
|
$943.88
|
|
| Middle school for 1 child, two semesters |
$30,905.75
|
$10,350.00
|
|
pay 10.9% more for entertainment and sports
|
California
|
Alaska
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
| Domestic/local beer (1 pint) |
$7.00
|
$7.04
|
|
| Cappuccino in mid-range area |
$5.34
|
$4.94
|
|
|
Pack of cigarettes
Marlboro or similar
|
$10.91
|
$12.02
|
|
| Monthly membership at local gym |
$66.35
|
$105.42
|
|
| Movie ticket to theater/cinema |
$14.41
|
$13.32
|
|
pay 7.8% more for clothing
|
California
|
Alaska
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Regular jeans
Levi's brand
|
$52.77
|
$54.68
|
|
|
Regular dress
from H&M or similar store
|
$40.15
|
$48.00
|
|
|
Running shoes
Nike or Adidas
|
$85.15
|
$87.93
|
|
| Men's business shoes (leather) |
$117.31
|
$123.00
|
|
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