Historical data
Pick an indicator to see its long-run evolution.
Median home value
1990–2024Census / Zillow ZHVI, nominal dollars.
Home Prices
Home prices in Alaska have risen steadily since 2020, though at a slower pace than many other states, reaching a median of $372,000 in 2024.
FHFA House Price Index
1975–2025FHFA all-transactions index, annual average of quarters. Source: FHFA via FRED (AKSTHPI).
| Indicator | Alaska | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| 5-year price growth (%) | 30 | 38 |
- •Anchorage accounts for the largest share of home sales activity in the state.
- •Limited new construction, only about 1,300 permits a year, keeps supply tight in some markets.
Median Home Value
Alaska's median home value of $372,000 runs slightly above the national median, driven up by high construction and shipping costs.
Median value of owner-occupied homes
2008–2024Census American Community Survey 1-year estimates, B25077 (2020 not released).
| Indicator | Alaska | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Median home value ($) | 372000 | 355000 |
- •Nearly all construction materials in Alaska must be shipped in by barge or air freight.
- •Home values vary enormously between urban Anchorage and remote rural villages.
Rent Prices
Median gross rent in Alaska is $1,340 per month, slightly below the national median despite the state's generally high cost of living.
Rent of primary residence index (Urban Alaska)
2018–2025BLS CPI-U, Urban Alaska, annual average (CUURS49GSEHA).
| Indicator | Alaska | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Median rent ($) | 1340 | 1406 |
- •High vacancy rates from seasonal housing help moderate rent growth in some Alaska markets.
- •Remote village housing often carries higher effective living costs despite lower listed rents.
Housing Inventory
Alaska has about 323,000 total housing units, a substantial share of which sit vacant due to seasonal use patterns.
Total housing units
2008–2024Census American Community Survey 1-year estimates, B25001 (2020 not released).
Vacant housing units
2008–2024Census American Community Survey 1-year estimates, B25002 (2020 not released).
| Indicator | Alaska | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Total housing units (thousands) | 323 | 146600 |
- •Many vacant Alaska homes are seasonal cabins or fishing-industry housing used only part of the year.
- •New housing construction remains limited by high material shipping costs.
Building Permits
Alaska issues roughly 1,300 residential building permits per year, a modest figure reflecting its small population and high construction costs.
New private housing units authorized
1988–2025Census Building Permits Survey, sum of 12 months (FRED AKBPPRIV).
| Indicator | Alaska | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Annual building permits | 1300 | 1471200 |
- •Almost all building materials in Alaska must be barged or flown in, raising construction costs significantly.
- •Construction activity is highly seasonal, concentrated in the short summer building season.
Homeownership Rate
About 66.2% of Alaska households own their homes, slightly above the national homeownership rate of 65.7%.
Homeownership rate (CPS/HVS)
1984–2025Census Housing Vacancy Survey, annual (FRED AKHOWN).
| Indicator | Alaska | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Homeownership rate (%) | 66.2 | 65.7 |
- •The Alaska Housing Finance Corporation offers below-market mortgage programs to residents.
- •Rural subsistence lifestyles often intertwine land and home ownership in unique ways.
Housing Affordability
Despite no state income or sales tax, Alaska's high overall cost of living, index 125.2, makes housing affordability a challenge for many residents.
Housing price level vs U.S. (RPP rents)
2008–2024BEA Regional Price Parities, housing services (SARPP line 3).
| Indicator | Alaska | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Housing price level vs U.S. (RPP rents)2024, BEA Regional Price Parities | 93.8 | 100 |
- •Alaska has no state income tax or state sales tax, partially offsetting high housing costs.
- •The Permanent Fund dividend gives every resident extra annual income that can support housing costs.
Vacancy Rate
Alaska's overall housing vacancy rate of 17.1% is notably high, driven largely by seasonal and remote properties used only part of the year.
Rental vacancy rate
1986–2025Census Housing Vacancy Survey, annual (FRED AKRVAC).
Homeowner vacancy rate
1986–2025Census Housing Vacancy Survey, annual (FRED AKHVAC).
| Indicator | Alaska | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Vacancy rate (%) | 17.1 | 10.5 |
- •Seasonal workers in fishing, construction, and tourism drive much of Alaska's vacant seasonal housing stock.
- •Some remote communities have housing vacant due to lack of water and sewer infrastructure.