Big Lake 58 Below average
Big Lake Livability #93 ranked city in Alaska#21,323 ranked city in the USARanks better than 27% of areas
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Pros and Cons of Living in Big Lake

PROS
  • Housing 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.

CONS
  • Amenities 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.

  • Schools 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.

What's it like Living in Big Lake?

Big Lake is a smaller city located in the state of Alaska. The city has a population of 2,859 inhabitants. With a population density of 25 people per square mile, Big Lake is about average when compared to the nation's average density level. If we take a look at the last Census, the vast majority of the population falls within one racial group (83% White). Given that fact, Big Lake could be considered less diverse than other cities. An important consideration when living in Big Lake is the longer-than-average commute times. If you seek a short work commute, this area may not be the best choice for you. The one-way commute time here typically takes 45 minutes, far surpassing the national average of 26 minutes.

Are you trying to figure out if living in Big Lake is the right fit for your lifestyle? To ensure a good experience before moving to any new city in Alaska, you will probably want to make sure that you check all of the most important boxes. Several key factors deserve attention. For one, safety is paramount, ensuring that your new area is low in crime is key. Proximity to workplaces or schools minimizes commute times and fosters convenience. Access to essential amenities like parks, grocery stores, food, fitness, shops and healthcare facilities enhances daily life. Efficient public transportation options provide mobility and connectivity. The sense of community creates a welcoming and supportive environment. Lastly, the overall atmosphere, encompassing the vibe, aesthetics, and lifestyle offerings, contributes to a fulfilling living experience. Considering these elements helps identify the ideal neighborhood for your needs and preferences. With useful information like amenities, crime, cost of living, health & safety and other key data points, finding the best places to live in Big Lake and in the areas around Big Lake is a much easier task.

The livability score in Big Lake is 56/100 and the city is ranked in the 22nd percentile of all cities across America. This is a poor rating when compared to the average of other places in the country. If we dig down a little deeper into each category within the livability score, we see that Big Lake has higher than average grades for the following: housing (A). On a more negative note, Big Lake does not have favorable scores for the following: amenities (F), cost of living (D-), education (D-) and employment (D). If we take a look at the data, we can find out why.

A healthy real estate market serves as a key economic indicator. It could signify overall local economic strength, stability and reflects consumer confidence in the area. Based on multiple factors including: median home and rental prices, appreciation rates and home affordability, Big Lake has received high marks in the housing category. Based on these calculations, the apartment rental and real estate market appears to be very healthy.

Assuming that Big Lake meets all of your requirements like low crime rates, good schools and great local amenities, the next most important item to examine is the affordability of real estate in Big Lake. Everything else becomes a lot less important if it turns out that home prices in Big Lake are simply unattainable. The median home price for Big Lake homes is $405,905, which is 12.2% lower than the Alaska average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Big Lake, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 5, which is 22% higher than the Alaska average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Big Lake

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      Big Lake transportation information

      Statistic Big Lake Alaska National
      Average one way commute45min19min26min
      Workers who drive to work68.2%68.1%76.4%
      Workers who carpool5.5%12.5%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit0.0%1.5%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.0%1.0%0.6%
      Workers who walk0.5%7.9%2.8%
      Working from home17.9%4.6%4.6%
      Source: The Big Lake, AK data and statistics displayed above are derived from the United States Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) and include 2026 modeled data developed using proprietary methodologies.