The first part of 2022 was significantly more expensive for Alaskans, with energy costs leading the charge. Overall, Alaskans paid 25% more for energy this year than last year.
According to the Alaska Department of Labor, the cost of living in Alaska was 7.5% higher across all categories during the first part of the year; some things were more expensive than others.
Gasoline, for instance, was over 52% higher from the prior year. Food was more than 11% higher, and housing was nearly 4% higher. Anchorage housing prices continue to drive the cost of living higher, as regulations make it more expensive to build housing in the city.
The statistics come via the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Consumer Price Index-Urban for Urban Alaska, April, 2022, which compared this year’s prices to last year’s.
The data shows that urban Alaskans are spending more than 40% of their income on housing, and more than 15% of their income on food, for a combined 56%.
Food in the urban centers of Anchorage, Fairbanks, and Juneau are not necessarily more expensive than some places in the United States, even if prices seem to be skyrocketing. But Juneau makes the list for the place in America where it’s most expensive to get your teeth cleaned.
