The Cost of Living in Alaska

Few economic topics generate as much consistent interest in Alaska as the state's high cost of living. For all its resource wealth, Alaska's relatively small population depends on outside sources for most of its consumer goods, and the state's remoteness creates extra costs. Interest in the cost of living has grown even more acute in the last few years as energy prices have skyrocketed and food prices have climbed. This annual article on the cost of living in Alaska will look at the most current information available from a variety of measures and surveys in an attempt to give multiple perspectives on this high-profile topic.