Alaska vs Massachusetts

Alaska is cheaper overall, while $100 goes further in Alaska, Massachusetts has higher incomes, Alaska has lower state income tax, and Massachusetts gets more sunshine.

Alaska flag
Alaska
AK · West
17 / 32
metrics won
Winner
VS
Massachusetts flag
Massachusetts
MA · Northeast
15 / 32
metrics won
AK wins Housing AK wins Quality of Life MA wins Climate MA wins Demographics MA wins Income AK wins Taxes
Continue with the moving guides: Living in Alaska Living in Massachusetts All 50 states State Match
AK 17
15 MA

What matters to you?

Tell us your priority, get a verdict

Your match

Alaska fits you better

Alaska wins 17 of 32 scored metrics against Massachusetts.

Run the numbers

What's your salary really worth?

Alaska

After state tax
—
Housing / month
—
Left after housing
—
Cost-adjusted remainder
—

Massachusetts

After state tax
—
Housing / month
—
Left after housing
—
Cost-adjusted remainder
—

Illustrative estimate only. Uses top marginal state income tax rate, BEA Regional Price Parity, and median housing costs — excludes federal tax, utilities, insurance, childcare, and debt.

Full comparison

Every metric, side by side

Pick a category. Each row opens the full breakdown for that metric — national rank, chart, and sourcing.

Capital City
Juneau vs Boston
State Color
Solid Red vs Solid Blue
Population
738,003
7,169,608
Median Income
$86,533
$96,505
Cost of Living
125.8
148.8
Median Housing Value
$316,400
$510,400
Property Tax
1.11%
1.07%
State Income Tax
None (0%)
5.00%
Minimum Wage
$13.00/hr
$15.00/hr
Gas Price
$4.619/gal
$3.933/gal
Electricity Rates
25.52 c/kWh
31.16 c/kWh
Livability Score
44.17
60.23
Average Temperature
26.6°F
47.9°F
Sunny Days
61 days
98 days
Land Area
663,268 sq mi
10,554 sq mi
Population Density
1.1 per sq mi
679.3 per sq mi
Statehood
January 3, 1959 (#49)
February 6, 1788 (#6)

Tradeoffs

Pros and cons for each state

The biggest advantages and drawbacks pulled from affordability, housing, income, taxes, safety, health, education, jobs, and weather.

Alaska flag

Alaska

Pros

  • Alaska has a lower overall cost of living.
  • Alaska has a lower housing cost index.
  • Alaska has lower median home values.

Cons

  • Alaska shows lower median income.
  • Alaska has higher property tax rates on average.
  • Alaska has a higher violent crime rate.
  • Alaska job growth trend is weaker.
  • Alaska health access/outcomes proxy is lower.
  • Alaska health coverage access proxy is weaker.
Massachusetts flag

Massachusetts

Pros

  • Massachusetts shows higher median income.
  • Massachusetts has lower property tax rates on average.
  • Massachusetts has a lower violent crime rate.
  • Massachusetts job growth trend is stronger.
  • Massachusetts health access/outcomes proxy is higher.
  • Massachusetts health coverage access proxy is stronger.

Cons

  • Massachusetts has a higher overall cost of living.
  • Massachusetts has a higher housing cost index.
  • Massachusetts has higher median home values.

People also ask

Alaska vs Massachusetts — common questions

QIs Alaska cheaper to live in than Massachusetts?

Alaska has the lower cost of living. On the national index (100 = average), Alaska scores 125.8 versus 148.8 for Massachusetts - a gap of 23.0 points.

QWhere does $100 go further - Alaska or Massachusetts?

$100 goes further in Alaska. After BEA regional price adjustments, $100 is worth about $97.79 in Alaska, compared with $95.55 in Massachusetts.

QWhich state is bigger - Alaska or Massachusetts?

Alaska is larger, covering 663,268 sq mi compared with 10,554 sq mi for Massachusetts - roughly 62.8x the size.

QDoes Alaska or Massachusetts have more people?

Massachusetts has the larger population at 7,169,608, compared with 738,003 in Alaska.

QWhich state has higher household income - Alaska or Massachusetts?

Massachusetts has the higher median household income at $96,505, versus $86,533 in Alaska.

QWhich state has lower income taxes - Alaska or Massachusetts?

Alaska has no state income tax, while Massachusetts charges up to 5.00%.

QIs housing cheaper in Alaska or Massachusetts?

Homes are cheaper in Alaska, where the median home value is $316,400, versus $510,400 in Massachusetts.

QWhich state is more densely populated - Alaska or Massachusetts?

Massachusetts is more densely populated at 679.3 per sq mi people per sq mi. Alaska is more spread out at 1.1 per sq mi people per sq mi.

Related comparisons

Arizona flag Arizona vs Massachusetts California flag California vs Massachusetts Alaska flag Alaska vs Connecticut Alaska flag Alaska vs Maine

Methodology

Figures combine government datasets, named research sources, and clearly labeled derived scores. Dataset reviewed July 23, 2026.

Demographics & geography
2020 Census, American Community Survey, TIGER/Line Files, National Archives
Income, housing & cost of living
American Community Survey, BLS, BEA Regional Price Parities, and named market studies
Wages & energy
U.S. Department of Labor, AAA, U.S. EIA
Politics & law
NCSL, Giffords Law Center, NABCA

Data periods differ by metric. Open any individual comparison metric to see its primary source, data period, review date, and calculation note. Daily-changing fields such as gas prices are stored snapshots unless the page explicitly says a live feed is used.

See our editorial policy for how we review and update these pages.