Employment
The combination of higher than average median home income, income per capita and low unemployment rates results in a score that is well above average in the employment category.
Housing
This area has received high scores in the housing category. This could be due to a positive home affordability ratio, high appreciation rates or elevated home values.
Health & Safety
A high score in the health and safety category is a result of good air quality and the accessibility to health facilities such as hospitals, clinics, doctors, pharmacies and fire stations.
Amenities
A majority of amenities are not ideally situated within a reasonable walking distance, which may lead residents to rely on a vehicle or public transportation.
Commute
Public transportation is not readily available in this area and the average commute time to work could also be longer than the national average.
Crime
This area is reporting high crime rates per 100,000 people and could signify that it is a dangerous place to live. Crime rates include both violent and property crimes.
Schools
Lower than average education levels, poor reading and math scores, as well as the inaccessibility of local elementary and high schools could all be factors in the low schools score.
Ratings
AreaVibes conducted surveys and polls with locals who live in the area. The results were not favorable for walkability of amenities, parks, public transit and the overall sense of community in the area.
Barrow, Alaska is a small-sized city with a population of 4,426 people. If you are a young adult or student, you might be pleased to know that the average age of all Barrow residents is 27. Barrow is very likely to be a great place to live for singles as only 48%, of the population (over fifteen) are classified as married. If you are not a fan of long commutes, you will enjoy living in Barrow. With an average one way commute time of only 7 minutes, getting to and from work is a breeze compared to the national average of 26 minutes.
If you’re considering relocating to any new city, it could be a very intimidating task. However, it could also be a positive experience if you are willing to get to know the area before actually living in Barrow, Alaska. When searching for a new neighborhood, several key items should be considered. Safety is of utmost importance, ensuring a secure environment with low crime. Proximity to your workplace or school helps reduce commuting time and offers convenience. Access to amenities such as parks, grocery stores, and healthcare facilities enhances your daily life. Public transportation options contribute to easy mobility. A sense of community fosters a supportive and engaging environment. Lastly, the overall atmosphere should align with your desired lifestyle, ensuring a fulfilling living experience. Considering these items will guide you towards finding the perfect neighborhood that fits all your needs. Using the livability score which includes data from categories like amenities, crime, health & safety, education, housing, you can easily compare the best places to live in Barrow and also determine if there are any nearby cities that might be a better match for your lifestyle. You can also compare Barrow to Alaska and the national average.
Barrow, AK receives 61 out of 100 for its livability score; this results in a ranking of #40 in Alaska and #16,963 in the USA. If we dig a little deeper into each category within the livability score, we see that Barrow has higher than average scores for the following: employment (B+) and housing (A+). Barrow does not do well for the following: amenities (F), crime (D-), cost of living (F) and education (F). It might be a smart idea to take a closer look at each category to find out why.
Finding affordable real estate and housing in Barrow can be tricky. Having said that, this area might be the place to get the best of both worlds. Based on factors like home/rental affordability and appreciation rates, this area has received an above average score in the housing category. A healthy real estate market can lead to wealth appreciation for property owners, as rising property values can contribute to homeowners' equity, financial stability and the ability to build long-term wealth.
Being close to public transit, grocery stores, parks and other conveniences are all important when weighing your options for a new home in Barrow. Before you determine if any of these amenities are available in the area, you will also want to know if the real estate prices in Barrow are affordable. Median real estate prices in Barrow come in at $325,843, which is 29.5% lower than the Alaska average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In Barrow, the home price to income ratio is 2.8, which is 31.7% lower than the Alaska average.
Why stop at city-to-city? With Local Insights, you can compare neighborhoods, zip codes, or even exact addresses. Access 300+ hyperlocal data points—from schools and crime to housing and amenities—to see which area is the better fit.
| Statistic | Barrow | Alaska | National |
| Average one way commute | 7min | 19min | 26min |
| Workers who drive to work | 44.7% | 68.1% | 76.4% |
| Workers who carpool | 26.1% | 12.5% | 9.3% |
| Workers who take public transit | 0.6% | 1.5% | 5.1% |
| Workers who bicycle | 0.0% | 1.0% | 0.6% |
| Workers who walk | 13.9% | 7.9% | 2.8% |
| Working from home | 3.1% | 4.6% | 4.6% |
Here are the best places to live in Alaska
These are the largest cities in Alaska
Check out the 10 safest cities in Alaska
These are the 10 cheapest cities in Alaska