Note: this is from 2016, most likely cost more now.
10 Common Things That Are Way More Expensive In Alaska Than Anywhere Else In The U.S.
Living in Alaska is definitely a sacrifice; you have to brave the storm, be thousands of miles away from the rest of your family and get used to doing things like paying 5x as much for a food item than you did in the lower 48. The cost of living up here is not cheap. However for those of us that live here and absolutely love it, it’s totally worth it. We’d rather pay outrageous prices and be surrounded by like-minded people than be stuck in a concrete jungle any day! Check out these 10 common things that are way more expensive in the last frontier than anywhere else in the US.
Flickr - Timothy Wildey
Grocery stores in Alaska are often times called 'General Stores' because they have an assortment of grocery, hardware and lifestyle items inside. They will lure you in with their cozy log-cabin style building with charming Alaskan adornments on the outside. That and, well - they very well might be the only place in town to shop. However, we will warn you now - make sure that you're prepared for the sticker shock one you get inside.
1. Milk
<img width="700" height="933" src="
https://img-aws.ehowcdn.com/700x/cdn.onlyinyourstate.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/milk-700x933.jpg" class=" gallery-image lazy-load " alt="" data-pin-url="
http://img-aws.ehowcdn.com/700x/cdn.onlyinyourstate.com/alaska/expensive-prices-ak/" data-pin-description="1. Milk" />
Flickr - Travis
At that price, you'd be one step closer to figuring out how you can get a cow or two shipped to the bush.
2. Olive Oil
<img width="700" height="933" src="
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http://img-aws.ehowcdn.com/700x/cdn.onlyinyourstate.com/alaska/expensive-prices-ak/" data-pin-description="2. Olive Oil" />
Flickr - Travis
$45.15 in Kotzebue and only $23.00 at Costco in Anchorage. Living off the grid away from the crowds certainly does not come cheap, folks! And on that same note, we should really think about getting into the shipping industry!
3. Frozen Pizza
<img width="700" height="419" src="
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http://img-aws.ehowcdn.com/700x/cdn.onlyinyourstate.com/alaska/expensive-prices-ak/" data-pin-description="3. Frozen Pizza" />
Flickr - vofuth
About 5x the cost of anywhere else, be prepared to pay top dollar for the aroma of an Italian delight. Good taste and authenticity is never guaranteed.
4. Subway
<img width="700" height="525" src="
https://img-aws.ehowcdn.com/700x/cd...loads/2016/08/Flickr-James-Brooks-700x525.jpg" class=" gallery-image lazy-load " alt="" data-pin-url="
http://img-aws.ehowcdn.com/700x/cdn.onlyinyourstate.com/alaska/expensive-prices-ak/" data-pin-description="4. Subway" />
Flickr - James Brooks
Love those $5 dollar footlong commercials that you see on TV? Well guess what; they're just fictional when you live in Alaska. Be sure to look for those "does not apply to residents living in AK or HI" at the end of the commercial in size 8 font. BOO!
5. Or, all fast food in general.
<img width="700" height="525" src="
https://img-aws.ehowcdn.com/700x/cd...tent/uploads/2016/08/Flickr-Wendy-700x525.jpg" class=" gallery-image lazy-load " alt="" data-pin-url="
http://img-aws.ehowcdn.com/700x/cdn.onlyinyourstate.com/alaska/expensive-prices-ak/" data-pin-description="5. Or, all fast food in general." />
Flickr - Wendy
Twice as much as the lower 48? Awesome! Worth it to live in Alaska though. For sure!
6. Water
<img width="700" height="933" src="
https://img-aws.ehowcdn.com/700x/cd...ontent/uploads/2016/08/water-trav-700x933.jpg" class=" gallery-image lazy-load " alt="" data-pin-url="
http://img-aws.ehowcdn.com/700x/cdn.onlyinyourstate.com/alaska/expensive-prices-ak/" data-pin-description="6. Water" />
Flickr - Travis
Just one of those mere items that you literally NEED to survive. You guessed it, no discounts here! That snow is looking pretty quenching right about now...
7. Ice Cream
<img width="700" height="525" src="
https://img-aws.ehowcdn.com/700x/cd...nt/uploads/2016/08/Flickr-Kim-F-4-700x525.jpg" class=" gallery-image lazy-load " alt="" data-pin-url="
http://img-aws.ehowcdn.com/700x/cdn.onlyinyourstate.com/alaska/expensive-prices-ak/" data-pin-description="7. Ice Cream" />
Flickr - Kim F
They say that Alaskans eat more ice cream per capita than anywhere else in the USA. With these crazy prices, we can't help but to scratch our heads in confusion. That is just insane!
8. Orange Juice
<img width="700" height="525" src="
https://img-aws.ehowcdn.com/700x/cd...t/uploads/2016/08/Flickr-Travis-7-700x525.jpg" class=" gallery-image lazy-load " alt="" data-pin-url="
http://img-aws.ehowcdn.com/700x/cdn.onlyinyourstate.com/alaska/expensive-prices-ak/" data-pin-description="8. Orange Juice" />
Flickr - Travis
Kind of like the thought we had about brining in a cow, what do you think our chances might be of growing a tropical orange tree in the middle of rural Alaska? Probably not very likely, unfortunately. Well... it looks like we will just have to get used to paying these prices to get our daily dose of Vitamin C. Ouch!
9. Jam and Jelly
<img width="700" height="525" src="
https://img-aws.ehowcdn.com/700x/cd...s/2016/08/4151696141_8efd7f5172_b-700x525.jpg" class=" gallery-image lazy-load " alt="" data-pin-url="
http://img-aws.ehowcdn.com/700x/cdn.onlyinyourstate.com/alaska/expensive-prices-ak/" data-pin-description="9. Jam and Jelly" />
Flickr - Travis
The best part about this crazy price is that we can actually avoid paying it if we just go outside and collect our own delicious wild Alaska berries. Salmonberry or Gooseberry jam sounds a lot better than that pre-packaged stuff from who knows where. If only we didn't have to worry about the price of sugar next...
10. Gas
<img width="700" height="525" src="
https://img-aws.ehowcdn.com/700x/cd...nt/uploads/2016/08/Flickr-chuck-t-700x525.jpg" class=" gallery-image lazy-load " alt="" data-pin-url="
http://img-aws.ehowcdn.com/700x/cdn.onlyinyourstate.com/alaska/expensive-prices-ak/" data-pin-description="10. Gas" />
Flickr - chuck t
We know... this is a super sensitive topic right now considering the price of oil has plummeted. But in general, we think that just about anyone and everyone living in a rural part of Alaska can agree that gasoline is incredibly expensive. Playing hard on the ATVs or going out deep on the saltwater or up the river is always a blast, but it doesn't come cheap. These prices here are in King Salmon. Just in case you aren't in the mood to do the quick math in your head, that is basically $5.83 per gallon. Holy smokes!
Aside from the really high prices, living in Alaska is definitely the best place to be in the U.S. Rural Alaska in particular is special for so many reasons including the limited crowd sizes and the vast array of outdoor activities. If you don’t already agree, be sure to check out these
20 photos that prove rural Alaska is the best place to live and get ready to leave the city life behind.
