Alaska · Census, HUD and BEA figures · Updated

Cost of Living in College, AK

Prices around College, AK run 3.2% above the U.S. average (BEA, the metro area). The typical household there earns $83,895 a year, and HUD puts a two-bedroom at $1,676 a month. Keeping that rent under 30% of income takes about $67,040 a year.

College, AK at a glance

Median household income

$83,895$6,991 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year
2-bedroom rent$1,676HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent
Price level (U.S. = 100)103.2+3.2% · BEA, the metro area
Electricity28.2¢per kWh · EIA Residential AK
Population11,924Census ACS 5-year estimate

How much rent can you afford in College, AK?

HUD’s fair market rent for each size, against what a typical household here earns. Change the income to see yours.

Affordable (< 30% of income)
HUD Fair Market Rent$1,676Monthly market rent
Share of gross income24%Recommended max: 30%
Annual income needed$67,040To meet the 30% standard
Max affordable rent$2,097At 30% of $83,895
0%30% (Affordability standard)100%
Compare against:

How much is rent in College, AK? By bedroom, 2026

HUD's fiscal 2026 Fair Market Rents for Fairbanks-College, AK MSA, with the income each one takes if rent stays under 30% of it.

HUD Fair Market Rent in College, AK, fiscal 2026
Unit SizeMonthly RentAnnual Rent30% Rule Min. Income% of Median Income
Studio / Efficiency$1,156$13,872$46,24016.5%
1-Bedroom Apartment$1,277$15,324$51,08018.3%
2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark$1,676$20,112$67,04024%
3-Bedroom Home$2,331$27,972$93,24033.3%
4-Bedroom Home$2,812$33,744$112,48040.2%

Rent in College, AK, with the wage each unit needs →

What a typical income covers in College, AK

The 50/30/20 rule applied to the local median of $83,895 a year ($6,991 a month before tax).

Needs (50%)$3,496/moRent ($1,676 2-BR), utilities (~$254/mo), groceries, transit
Wants (30%)$2,097/moEating out, travel, subscriptions and the rest
Savings and debt (20%)$1,398/moEmergency fund, retirement, paying down loans

What $83,895 leaves after Alaska taxes

Federal income tax, Social Security, Medicare and Alaska tax on the local median income. Change the salary to see yours.

$83,895
$30,000$170,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$83,895
Net 81%
Fed 11%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$67,850After all taxes
Monthly deposit$5,654Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$2,610Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate19.1%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$9,627 / yr
Alaska state income taxNo state wage tax$0
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$6,418 / yr

Living in College, AK: common questions

What is the median household income in College, AK?

According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in College, AK is $83,895 per year (approximately $6,991 per month).

What is the average rent in College, AK?

The closest official figure is HUD's Fair Market Rent for 2026: $1,156 for a studio, $1,277 for one bedroom, $1,676 for two, $2,331 for three and $2,812 for four, utilities included.

It is not an average of listings. HUD sets it at the rent 40% of recent movers paid or less for a standard unit, so a new lease on a nicer place will usually cost more.

Is College, AK expensive to live in?

Prices there run 3.2% above the U.S. average. BEA's regional price parity for the metro area is 103.2, where the U.S. is 100. Rent moves the number most: housing is where places differ, while goods cost about the same everywhere.

How much do you need to earn to comfortably afford rent in College, AK?

To keep a $1,676 two-bedroom under 30% of gross income, a household needs about $67,040 a year, or $5,587 a month. That is 80% of what the typical household in College, AK earns.

How much do you need to live comfortably in College, AK?

On the local median income of $83,895 ($6,991 a month before tax), the 50/30/20 rule leaves $3,496 a month for needs like rent, utilities and groceries, $2,097 for everything else and $1,398 for savings or debt. A two-bedroom at $1,676 takes 48% of the needs share.

How much is the electric bill in College, AK?

Homes in Alaska paid 28.2¢ per kWh on average (EIA). At 900 kWh a month, a typical use, that is about $254. Your bill depends mostly on heating and cooling.