| Index | College | Alaska | National |
| Cost of living | 121 | 122 | 100 |
| Groceries | 118 | 119 | 100 |
| Health care | 108 | 110 | 100 |
| Housing | 136 | 137 | 100 |
| Transportation | 112 | 113 | 100 |
| Utilities | 123 | 124 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 115 | 117 | 100 |
| Household Items | 108 | 110 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 114 | 114 | 100 |
Understanding the cost of living in College can help future residents assess whether their current financial situation aligns with the expenses they will encounter. It enables them to plan for potential changes in their budget and lifestyle. The College cost of living index is 121, which is 21% higher than the national average. The cost of living index is calculated by taking into account multiple categories, which encompass both the cost of everyday expenditures and larger expenses as well.
The cost of living in College is among the highest in the country, making it a very expensive place to live. Only a small fraction of regions boast a cost of living that is at least 20% higher than the national average, and regrettably, College falls into this category, which may not be suitable for those seeking an economically favorable living environment.
Housing costs are a major factor in the College cost of living index, and they often eat up a big chunk of your take-home pay. Unfortunately, in this area, housing expenses for both homeownership and rentals were 36.4% higher than what's typical in an average city. That includes the prices of homes and rents, as well as mortgage rates and insurance.
The cost of groceries continues to rise at an alarming rate. Over the last two years, grocery prices have increased by more than 10%! Unfortunately, in College, the news isn't any better as grocery prices are 18.4% higher than the national average.
Wondering if College is affordable? It's a question that often comes up when you're thinking about a new city since affordability can really shape your decisions. The cost of living index (covered earlier), housing expenses and income levels all play a part in the affordability equation. In College, for example, the median home price is 33.7% higher than what folks pay nationally, and monthly rent is 42.6% higher than the usual rates. Plus, income levels matter too, with College boasting a median household income of $104,775, which is 28.8% higher than the national average.
Groceries: Over the past 2-3 years, grocery expenses have experienced substantial upward trends. In certain markets, food prices have surged by over 20% during this period, while others have witnessed more modest increases. These fluctuations in food costs can wield significant influence over the overall cost of living in a given region. In College, the groceries index is 18.4% higher than the national average.
Urbanization: Urban areas with extensive amenities and job opportunities tend to have a higher cost of living due to increased demand for services and relocation, resulting in higher home prices and higher rents. Less densely populated rural areas, or areas with less demand tend to have fewer amenities and slower job growth, which results in a lower cost of living.
Subsidies: Some cities and states may extend government subsidies or aid programs aimed at reducing the cost of living for their residents. These initiatives encompass diverse forms of support, including Medicare, Medicaid, housing subsidies, low-income home energy assistance programs, school lunch programs, supplemental nutrition assistance programs, student loans, electric vehicle tax credits, affordable care act subsidies and farm subsidies. Regions with limited subsidy provisions may witness an increase in their overall cost of living.
The cost of living estimates displayed for College are modeled using a U.S. average baseline of 100, helping provide a useful comparison of local living expenses. Housing calculations include U.S. Census home price and rental data, while all other values are AI-assisted estimates based on regional cost patterns, climate, transportation, and everyday spending expectations. These values are intended for directional comparisons across cities.
| Cost of living index | |
| Groceries index | |
| Health care index | |
| Housing index | |
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| Utilities index | |
| Lifestyle index | |
| Household index | |
| Educare index |
| Median Income | Per Year | Per Month | Max Budget (28% DTI) | Max Budget (36% DTI) |
| Owners | $149,188 | $12,432 | $3,481 | $4,476 |
| Renters | $74,696 | $6,225 | $1,743 | $2,241 |
| State | General Sales Tax | With Max Surtax |
| Alaska | 0% | 7% |
| State | Income Tax (Low) | Income Tax (High) |
| Alaska | 0% | 0% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Fox, AK | 194 | 114 | 14.1% |
| South Van Horn, AK | 404 | 83 | 17.1% |
| Goldstream, AK | 3,419 | 114 | 13.7% |
| North Pole, AK | 3,077 | 116 | 15.7% |
| Ester, AK | 2,241 | 116 | 16.0% |
| College, AK | 13,116 | 121 | 20.8% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Prince Rupert, BC | 13,113 | n/a | |
| Manorville, NY | 13,119 | 143 | 42.5% |
| Mercerville, NJ | 13,108 | 121 | 20.6% |
| Meadville, PA | 13,127 | 90 | 10.3% |
| Greenville, OH | 13,135 | 85 | 14.6% |
| College, AK | 13,116 | 121 | 20.8% |
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