Cost of Living in Palmer, AK

D
16%
Overall NAT. AVG.
17%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
12%
Housing NAT. AVG.
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Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.
The cost of living index is based on a national average of 100. For example, if the cost of living is 90, then it is 10% lower than average. If the cost of living is 110, then it is 10% higher than average. The breakdown for each index is as follows: goods & services (33%), groceries (13%), health care (5%), housing (30%), transportation (9%) and utilities (10%). If the cost of living data was unavailable for this city, estimates based upon nearby cities were used.
Index Palmer Alaska National
Cost of living116129100
Goods & Services117120100
Groceries124124100
Health care140148100
Housing112135100
Transportation112115100
Utilities112158100
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Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Palmer is 10% lower than the Alaska average
  • The cost of living in Palmer is 16% higher than the national average
  • Palmer housing is 12% higher than the national average
  • Alaska general sales tax is 100% lower than the national average
  • Alaska state income tax is 100% lower than the national average

Most Affordable Places to Live in and Around Palmer

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Compare Palmer, AK Cost of Living

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      Salary Calculator

      This is how much you would need to earn in
      Price difference in compared to
      Cost of living index
      Goods & Services index
      Groceries index
      Health care index
      Housing index
      Transportation index
      Utilities index

      Median Income & Debt-To-Income Ratio

      Median Income Per Year Per Month Max Budget (28% DTI) Max Budget (36% DTI)
      Owners$77,130$6,428$1,800$2,314
      Renters$37,963$3,164$886$1,139
      The affordability of the housing market in Palmer, AK as well as the overall cost of living can be predicted by what percent of the monthly income is spent on housing related costs. This is konwn as the debt-to-income ratio (DTI). The overall rule of thumb is that no more than 28% of your gross income should be spent on the overall costs related to housing and no more than 36% of gross income on all expenses and debts. Among Palmer homeowners, the median income is $77,130. This indicates that a monthly maximum of $1,800 should be spent by homeowners on all housing related costs. Renters have a median income of $37,963. This indicates that renters would have a maximum of $886 for their rent related monthly costs.

      Alaska Sales Tax

      State General Sales Tax With Max Surtax
      Alaska 0% 7%

      Alaska Income Tax

      State Income Tax (Low) Income Tax (High)
      Alaska 0% 0%

      Goods & Services

      Item Palmer National avg. Difference
      Haircut $28.21$24.2616.3%
      Beauty Salon $47.27$45.563.7%
      Toothpaste $3.81$3.702.9%
      Shampoo $1.31$1.282.0%
      Movie $13.19$12.138.7%
      Bowling $18.08$18.000.5%

      Groceries

      Item Palmer National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $6.62$5.8413.3%
      Fried Chicken $2.45$1.5755.6%
      Milk $5.09$4.679.0%
      Potatoes $5.98$4.9321.2%
      Pizza $12.76$12.095.5%
      Beer $13.48$10.4129.5%

      Health Care

      Item Palmer National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $247.07$125.6896.6%
      Doctor $215.28$135.7858.6%
      Dentist $153.23$113.2935.3%
      Ibuprofen $12.38$10.6516.2%
      Lipitor $522.08$468.6011.4%

      Housing

      Item Palmer National avg. Difference
      Home Price $215,500.00$184,700.0016.7%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $3,534.94$2,346.6950.6%
      Apartment Rent $974.00$949.002.6%

      Transportation

      Item Palmer National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $3.93$3.4613.5%
      Tire Balancing $65.07$59.928.6%

      Utilities

      Item Palmer National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $232.09$193.9919.6%
      Phone $189.01$192.251.7%
      Although the cost of living data is updated regularly, this cost of living information is to be used as estimates only as prices can change on an ongoing basis.

      Nearby cities with low cost of living

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Sutton-Alpine, AK1,34311313.5%
      Knik River, AK80711514.7%
      Buffalo Soapstone, AK93711515.4%
      Meadow Lakes, AK8,30712019.6%
      Lakes, AK8,94412121.5%
      Palmer, AK7,35911616.3%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Dayton, TN7,3578118.6%
      Hudsonville, MI7,353936.6%
      Steele Creek, AK7,36513434.1%
      Iron Mountain, MI7,3528515.4%
      Waikoloa Village, HI7,36617474.3%
      Palmer, AK7,35911616.3%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.
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