The 5 Best Places
to Live in Alaska

2026 Scientific Ranking: Best Places to Live in Alaska

Methodology Brief
Ocity.org’s definitive 2026 ranking of Alaskan municipalities employs a weighted algorithm to quantify livability. The analysis aggregates three core data sets—Safety, Economic Output, and Affordability—across the state’s ten most populous statistical areas. Safety (weighted 40%) is derived from violent crime rates per 100,000 residents. Economic Output (weighted 30%) is measured by median household income. Affordability (weighted 30%) is calculated using median one-bedroom rent. The resulting Ocity Score prioritizes statistical significance over anecdotal perception, isolating high-yield environments for data-driven relocation.

Top 3 Winners Deep Dive

Rank #1: North Lakes CDP
North Lakes emerges as the optimal statistical environment, achieving the highest composite Ocity Score. The data indicates a safety-optimized profile with a violent crime rate of 838/100k, consistent with the top tier, but it is the superior economic yield that differentiates this location. A median income of $102,785—the highest in the dataset—provides significant purchasing power. When combined with a median rent of $1,306, the economic efficiency ratio (income-to-rent) is maximized. For data scientists and high-earning professionals seeking a statistically significant combination of safety, high income, and manageable housing costs, North Lakes represents the definitive choice.

Rank #2: Juneau city and
Juneau secures the second position through robust economic output and cost efficiency. The city’s median income of $100,513 is statistically indistinguishable from the top rank, ensuring high-yield economic potential. However, the differentiating factor is affordability; despite a slightly higher rent of $1,307, the city’s larger population (31,969) implies a more mature infrastructure and service economy. The violent crime rate remains at 838/100k, aligning with the safety standards of the top cohort. Juneau offers a balanced profile for professionals prioritizing high income within a larger, established municipal framework.

Rank #3: Badger CDP
Badger CDP secures the third rank by delivering a compelling value proposition within the high-yield tier. It posts a median income of $98,042, maintaining strong economic output. The key statistical advantage is affordability: Badger’s median rent of $1,242 is the lowest among the top three contenders. This lower cost baseline, paired with a safety profile identical to the leaders (838/100k), results in a superior disposable income calculation. For residents optimizing for economic efficiency—maximizing savings rate relative to income—Badger offers a statistically advantageous alternative to the top two ranks.

The 'Hidden Gem': College CDP
While Anchorage offers lower rent, the 'Hidden Gem' for pure value (High Income + Low Cost) is College CDP. Anchorage’s median income of $94,437 is undercut by a violent crime rate of 1089/100k, which penalizes its safety score significantly. College CDP, conversely, presents a more favorable balance. It boasts a median income of $76,831—substantially higher than lower-ranked cities like Wasilla or Fairbanks—while maintaining a safety-optimized crime rate of 838/100k. Most critically, its median rent of $1,242 creates a high-yield affordability zone. For professionals who prioritize a low cost-of-living burden without sacrificing economic stability or safety, College CDP provides the most efficient risk-adjusted return in the dataset.

Full Rankings Table