List of Cities in Alaska: Area, Population and Cost of Living
Alaska is a state of the United States located in the northwest regions of the North American continent. Famous for the Northern Lights, extensive outdoor adventures, wide-open spaces and unique Alaskan culture, Alaska is one of the best places for tourists to explore.
To know more about this state and the cities in Alaska, continue reading this write-up.
Currency – The standard currency is USD or the United States Dollar. As of 29th August 2023, 1 USD is measured at 82.70 INR.
List of Cities in Alaska
Largest by land area, extending 570,640.95 square miles or 1,477,953.3 km2, there are about 148 incorporated cities in this state. These cities are divided into 4 unified home-rule municipalities, ten home-rule cities, 18 first-class cities, and 115 second-class cities.
To be classified as a home rule or first-class city, Alaska law considers that a municipality must have at least 400 residents.
Below is the list of the top cities in Alaska, along with their relevant details:
1. Unified Home Rule
The unified home-rule cities are as follows:
| Name of the City | Area | Population (Subject to Change) | Cost of Living (Without Rent) |
| Anchorage, South-central Alaska | 5,041.89 km2 | 283,154 | $862 (One Person)/ $2647 (Family of Four) |
| Juneau, Gastineau Channel and the Alaskan panhandle | 8,429.64 km2 | 31,534 | $836 (One Person)/ $2468 (Family of Four) |
| Sitka, Southeast Alaska | 12,471.16 km2 | 8,365 | NA |
| Wrangell, South-eastern Alaska | 9,004.37 km2 | 1,913 | NA |
2. Home-Rule Cities
The home rule cities in Alaska are as follows:
| Name of the City | Area | Population (Subject to Change) | Cost of Living (Without Rent) |
| Fairbanks, Fairbanks North Star Borough | 84.5 km2 | 32,868 | $934 (One Person)/ $3069 (Family of Four) |
| Ketchikan, Ketchikan Gateway Borough | 12.70 km2 | 7,870 | NA |
| Kenai, Kenai Peninsula Borough | 93.15 km2 | 7,838 | NA |
| Palmer, Matanuska-Susitna Borough | 13.14 km2 | 6,523 | NA |
| Kodiak, Kodiak Island Borough | 14.23 km2 | 5,258 | NA |
| Soldotna, Kenai Peninsula Borough | 19.19 km2 | 4,611 | NA |
| Valdez, Chugach Census Area | 704.24 km2 | 3,780 | NA |
| Seward, Resurrection Bay | 56.69 km2 | 2,709 | NA |
| Cordova, Chugach Census Area | 194.62 km2 | 2,421 | NA |
| North Pole, Fairbanks North Star Borough | 10.62 km2 | 2,386 | NA |
| Nenana, Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area | 16.18 km2 | 354 | NA |
3. First-class Cities
The first-class cities in Alaska are as follows:
| Name of the City | Area | Population (Subject to Change) | Cost of Living (Without Rent) |
| Wasilla, Matanuska-Susitna Borough | 34.01 km2 | 10,175 | NA |
| Homer, Kenai Peninsula Borough | 65.41 km2 | 6,075 | NA |
| Utqiaġvik, North Slope Borough | 55.63 km2 | 5,123 | NA |
| Unalaska, Aleutians West Census Area | 546.20 km2 | 3,809 | NA |
| Nome, Nome Census Area | 55.7 km2 | 3,498 | NA |
| Dillingham, Dillingham Census Area | 93.41 km2 | 2,142 | NA |
| Craig, Prince of Wales-Hyder Census Area | 24.62 km2 | 1,027 | NA |
| Hoonah, South-east Alaska | 18.47 km2 | 970 | NA |
| King Cove, Aleutians East Borough | 75.62 km2 | 831 | NA |
| Klawock, Prince of Wales–Hyder Census Area | 2.52 km2 | 717 | NA |
| St. Mary's, Kusilvak Census Area | 133.56 km2 | 602 | $690 (One Person)/ $2213 (Family of Four) |
| Sand Point, Aleutians East Borough | 78.46 km2 | 759 | $827 (One Person)/ $2575 (Family of Four) |
| Kake, Prince of Wales-Hyder Census Area | 34.98 km2 | 545 | NA |
| Galena, Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area | 63.47 km2 | 447 | NA |
| Hydaburg, Prince of Wales-Hyder Census Area | 0.76 km2 | 378 | NA |
4. Second-class Cities
The second-class cities in Alaska are as follows:
| Name of the City | Area | Population (Subject to Change) | Cost of Living (Without Rent) |
| Bethel, Western Alaska | 129.78 km2 | 6,264 | NA |
| Kotzebue, Northwest Arctic Borough | 68.64 km2 | 2,973 | NA |
| Houston, Matanuska-Susitna Borough | 65.41 km2 | 2,237 | $917 (One Person)/ $3075 (Family of Four) |
| Akutan, Aleutians East Borough | 383.07 km2 | 1,297 | NA |
| Hooper Bay, Kusilvak Census Area | 19.50 km2 | 1,359 | NA |
| Chevak, Kusilvak Census Area | 2.96 km2 | 953 | NA |
| Delta Junction, Southeast Fairbanks Census Area | 36.00 km2 | 1,011 | NA |
| Savoonga, Nome Census Area | 15.21 km2 | 797 | NA |
| Point Hope, North Slope Borough | 13.14 km2 | 886 | NA |
| Emmonak, Kusilvak Census Area | 15.31 km2 | 828 | NA |
| Togiak, Dillingham Census Area | 581.84 km2 | 784 | NA |
| Kwethluk, Bethel Census Area | 30.62 km2 | 787 | NA |
| Selawik, Northwest Arctic Borough | 7.62 km2 | 724 | NA |
| Quinhagak, Bethel Census Area, | 12.14 km2 | 764 | NA |
| Unalakleet, Nome Census Area | 12.81 km2 | 731 | NA |
Disclaimer: The data provided for each city can vary according to the sources and is subject to change with time. The list is for general purposes and contains the names of the most popular cities in Alaska.
Interesting Facts About the Cities in Alaska
Here are some unknown facts about the major cities in Alaska:
- With more than 100,000 glaciers, Alaska has the most significant concentration of this massive ice wonder in North America.
- Anchorage City in Alaska gets 22 hours of continuous daylight. Especially on summer solstice, the sun barely goes below the horizon.
- Juneau has been called the nation's most wired capital as the state capital has invested in advanced tools and equipment to help citizens all over Alaska.
- Juneau is home to unique flora and fauna - brown and black bears, 280 species of birds, five species of salmon, and whales, especially humpback and orca.
- Due to its location under the Auroral Oval, the Northern Lights are visible in Fairbanks roughly 200 nights per year, especially during winter.
- About half of Fairbank's population consists of military personnel. This is due to the nearby Eielson Air Force Base.
- Due to the extremely cold temperature, cars in Fairbanks can freeze if they get too cold. So, parking lots in this city offer electric outlets for plugging in vehicle engine block heaters.
- There are more than 3,000 rivers and 3 million lakes in Alaska.
FAQs About Cities in Alaska
What are the ten largest cities in Alaska?
There are 148 incorporated cities in Alaska. However, the ten largest cities in Alaska are as follows -Anchorage, Fairbanks, Juneau, Ketchikan, Kenai, Palmer, Bethel, Homer, Wasilla and Sitka.
Where is the famous Hubbard Glacier located in Alaska?
The famous 6-mile-wide Hubbard Glacier is located in south-central Alaska and north of Yakutat. This scale offers awe-inspiring beauty and exclusive wildlife sightings, such as whales, seals, eagles and otters.
What is unique during the winter and summer solstice in the Fairbanks city?
On June 21st, Fairbanks City experienced about 21 hours and 49 minutes of daylight on the summer solstice. During the winter solstice that is on December 21st, Fairbanks has about 3 hours 43 minutes of daylight. This makes it the shortest day of the year.
Is it expensive to live in Alaska?
Yes, it is expensive to live in Alaska. The cost of living in Alaska is 29% higher than the national average. While utilities are about 36% higher, housing is 18% higher. Speaking about basic necessities, food and clothing, groceries are around 30% higher than in the rest of the country. However, clothing costs 30% higher.
Is Alaska home to North America’s tallest mountains?
Yes, Alaska is home to 17 of North America's tallest mountains. Amongst the 20 highest peaks in the United States, 17 are in Alaska. This includes the highest peak in North America, the Denali, which is 20,320 feet above sea level.