Alaska vs Iowa

Alaska

Low tax burden · COL index 126

Wins 5 categories

Iowa

Moderate tax burden · COL index 88

Wins 10 categories

Alaska has no state income tax. Iowa's top rate is 3.8%. Cost of living in Alaska (index 126) runs 43% higher than Iowa (index 88). Property taxes are meaningfully different: Iowa averages 1.42% annually vs Alaska's 1.04%. The median home in Alaska costs $340K vs $215K in Iowa.

Alaska

Iowa

Taxes

None

Income Tax (top rate)

3.8%

1.04%/yr

Property Tax Rate

1.42%/yr

1.76%

Sales Tax (avg)

6.94%

Yes

Social Security Tax

Yes

Estate Tax

Yes

None

Capital Gains Tax

As income

Housing & Cost of Living

126

COL Index (100=avg)

$340K

Median Home Price

$215K

$1,350/mo

Median Rent (2BR/mo)

$1,050/mo

$1K/yr

Home Insurance (avg/yr)

$2K/yr

Crime & Safety

838

Violent Crime / 100K

284

2,544

Property Crime / 100K

1,626

Healthcare

#48 of 50

Healthcare Quality Rank

#21 of 50

75 yrs

Life Expectancy

78 yrs

12.1%

Uninsured Rate

5.8%

Yes

Medicaid Expansion

Yes

Education

#35 of 50

K-12 Quality Rank

#15 of 50

School Choice / Vouchers

Yes

Childcare

$1,380/mo

Avg Infant Care / mo

$1,100/mo

Utilities & Daily Costs

$145/mo

Avg Energy Bill / mo

$135/mo

$780/mo

Avg Groceries / mo

$440/mo

#35 of 50

Road Quality Rank

#8 of 50

Social Policy

Gun Laws Grade

R+13.0

2024 Presidential Margin

R+13.0

Category wins

Alaska

Iowa

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