Alaska vs California: Tax & Cost of Living Comparison
A comprehensive side-by-side comparison of taxes, cost of living, housing, income, and insurance costs between Alaska and California.
State 1
Alaska
AK
State 2
California
CA
No Income Tax State
Alaska has no state income tax, which can mean significant savings for residents compared to California (13.30% top rate).
| Category | Alaska | California |
|---|---|---|
| Income Tax Rate | No Income TaxBetter | 13.30% |
| Property Tax Rate | 1.04% | 0.71%Better |
| Property Tax (on Median Home) | $3,536/yrBetter | $5,325/yr |
| Sales Tax Rate | No Sales TaxBetter | 7.25% |
| Cost of Living Index | 127Better | 140 |
| Median Home Price | $340,000Better | $750,000 |
| Median Household Income | $77,800 | $85,300Better |
| Avg. Auto Insurance | $1,480/yrBetter | $2,200/yr |
| Avg. Home Insurance | $1,200/yrBetter | $1,500/yr |
Cost of Living Comparison
Index relative to national average (100)
Median Home Price
Alaska
$340,000
Property Tax: $3,536/yr
California
$750,000
Property Tax: $5,325/yr
Alaska homes are 54.7% cheaper than California homes.
Median Household Income
Alaska
$77,800
California
$85,300
California households earn $7,500 more per year on average.
Insurance Costs
| Type | Alaska | California | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Auto Insurance | $1,480/yr | $2,200/yr | $720/yr |
| Home Insurance | $1,200/yr | $1,500/yr | $300/yr |
| Total Insurance | $2,680/yr | $3,700/yr | $1,020/yr |
Overall Financial Comparison
Weighted score combining income tax, property tax, sales tax, cost of living, housing, insurance, and income. A lower score indicates better overall financial affordability.
Alaska
-27.1
More Affordable
California
150.3
The Bottom Line
Alaska offers lower income tax, lower sales tax, lower cost of living, more affordable housing compared to California. Meanwhile, California offers lower property tax, higher median income. Overall, Alaska edges ahead in our weighted financial comparison.
Alaska Advantages
- +Lower income tax
- +Lower sales tax
- +Lower cost of living
- +More affordable housing
California Advantages
- +Lower property tax
- +Higher median income