Alaska vs Arizona

Alaska

Low tax burden · COL index 126

Wins 7 categories

Arizona

Moderate tax burden · COL index 102

Wins 7 categories

Alaska has no state income tax. Arizona's top rate is 2.5%. Cost of living in Alaska (index 126) runs 24% higher than Arizona (index 102). Property taxes are meaningfully different: Alaska averages 1.04% annually vs Arizona's 0.51%. The median home in Arizona costs $420K vs $340K in Alaska.

Alaska

Arizona

Taxes

None

Income Tax (top rate)

2.5%

1.04%/yr

Property Tax Rate

0.51%/yr

1.76%

Sales Tax (avg)

8.37%

Yes

Social Security Tax

Yes

Estate Tax

Yes

None

Capital Gains Tax

As income

Housing & Cost of Living

126

COL Index (100=avg)

102

$340K

Median Home Price

$420K

$1,350/mo

Median Rent (2BR/mo)

$1,600/mo

$1K/yr

Home Insurance (avg/yr)

$2K/yr

Crime & Safety

838

Violent Crime / 100K

474

2,544

Property Crime / 100K

2,624

Healthcare

#48 of 50

Healthcare Quality Rank

#34 of 50

75 yrs

Life Expectancy

76.3 yrs

12.1%

Uninsured Rate

10.8%

Yes

Medicaid Expansion

Yes

Education

#35 of 50

K-12 Quality Rank

#45 of 50

School Choice / Vouchers

Yes

Childcare

$1,380/mo

Avg Infant Care / mo

$1,150/mo

Utilities & Daily Costs

$145/mo

Avg Energy Bill / mo

$145/mo

$780/mo

Avg Groceries / mo

$490/mo

#35 of 50

Road Quality Rank

#28 of 50

Social Policy

Gun Laws Grade

R+13.0

2024 Presidential Margin

R+5.0

Category wins

Alaska

Arizona

Run the full slider tool to score these states against your specific income, home value, retirement, and lifestyle priorities.

Score For My Profile →