The Cost of Living in Alaska

The high cost of living in Alaska is part of the state's folklore. Stories are told of eggs being sold for a dollar each in Skagway during the Klondike gold rush and of converted garages renting for $1,000 a month in Fairbanks during construction of the trans-Alaska oil pipeline. Even during more stable economic periods, the unique benefi ts of living in the 49th state - a rugged and expansive land more remote from the nation's population centers than every other state except Hawaii - come with unique costs.