Alaska
Low tax burden · COL index 126
Wins 5 categories
Washington
Moderate tax burden · COL index 117
Wins 9 categories
Neither Alaska nor Washington levies a state income tax. The median home in Washington costs $570K vs $340K in Alaska. Politically, Alaska voted Republican in 2024 (R+13.0) while Washington went Democratic (D+16.0).
Taxes
Housing & Cost of Living
Crime & Safety
Healthcare
Education
Childcare
Utilities & Daily Costs
Social Policy
Category wins
5
Alaska
9
Washington
Run the full slider tool to score these states against your specific income, home value, retirement, and lifestyle priorities.
Score For My Profile →People Also Ask
Why are people moving away from Alaska?
Do you get $1000 for living in Alaska?
Is it more expensive to live in Washington or Alaska?
Is it more expensive to live in Anchorage or Washington? Overall cost of living in Washington, DC is 9.8% higher than in Anchorage, AK. The average listing price for a home in Washington, DC is $1,085,511, which is 40.4% higher than Anchorage, AK.
What I wish I knew before moving to Alaska?