10 Best Places To Call Home In Alaska In 2025
The “Last Frontier” state of Alaska is home to incredible history, breathtaking scenery, and an incredible ecosystem. For many, just hearing or reading its name is enough to invoke images of rugged terrain comprised of rivers and snow-dusted mountain tops. With town names like Palmer, it’s easy to imagine a state filled with moose, bears, and people wearing flannel. However, as people living in places like the North Pole, Valdez, and others will tell you, there’s a lot more to Alaska than what you’ve seen in the movies.
Kenai
The idyllic town of Kenai, with a population of roughly 7,500, is perfect for those craving small-town life. Imagine your worries melting away as you walk along the shoreline of the Kenai River. Imagine having a morning coffee and looking out to a horizon made up of vibrant green hills and snow-dusted mountaintops. As you explore Kenai, you can learn about the town’s history at the Kenai Museum and Cultural Center. To experience some of Alaska’s awe-inspiring natural beauty, you can go for a hike on one of the trails at the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge, which consists of over a million acres of land. You may even get the chance to take some photos of the local wildlife while you’re there. One of the best parts of Kenai is that living here won’t break the bank since the cost of living is estimated to be 8% below the median state average. All it will take is one look for you to see why people have called this area home for over a thousand years.
North Pole
If you've ever dreamed of traveling to the famous North Pole and visiting Santa, you're in luck. Even better, you won't need to worry about finding flying reindeer or a sleigh. Instead, all you need to do is take a 21-mile drive from nearby Fairbanks, and you'll arrive in the town of North Pole, Alaska. Founded in 1954, North Pole has been welcoming people ever since. While you're in town, you can pay a visit to the Santa Claus House & Gift Shop. Who knows? You just might meet the famous man in red. If you have a sweet tooth, you can grab a bite to eat at the North Pole Crepery. In the evenings, you might just catch an awe-inspiring glimpse of the famed Northern Lights (aurora borealis). Thankfully, the cost of living in North Pole is itself a bit of a gift since the cost of living in this beautiful city is about 10% less than the state average, which leaves you plenty of money left over for presents. So, pack your sleigh, gather your flying reindeer, and prepare to move to the North Pole, Alaska.
Fairbanks
With a population of just over 32,000 people, Fairbanks, Alaska, is the second largest city in the state. But don’t let that turn you off to this remarkable city. The cost of living here is about 10% lower than the state average, so buying a house here won’t break the bank. Fairbanks offers a true mixture of natural beauty, history, and friendly people. If you’re a nature lover, you will be right at home in the city’s natural beauty, especially when you pay a visit to the Creamer’s Field Migratory Waterfowl Refuge, which encompasses 2,200 acres of fields, wetlands, and forests. If you are interested in learning more about Fairbanks’ local history, then the University of Alaska Museum of the North is a true must-visit. This wonderful facility features dinosaur fossils and over 2,000 years of Alaskan artwork. Unquestionably, one of the most unique features of Fairbanks is its natural hot springs. Located in the Chena Hot Springs Resort let your troubles drift away as you relax in one of these wonders of nature. With all it has to offer, Fairbanks might be the ideal place for you to call home.
Palmer
The beautiful town of Palmer is home to just under 5,900 people. Offering stunning views of the Chugach and Talkeetna mountains, plenty of trails to hike and explore, and a cost of living about 14% lower than the state average, Palmer might just be your next home. While you’re in town, you can learn about the history of Alaska’s gold rush at the Independence Mine State Historical Park, you can take a guided walking tour of the mine and even pan for gold. In late August, you can help residents of Palmer say "goodbye" to summer and celebrate the upcoming fall at Palmer’s annual Alaska State Fair. The fair initially started running semi-annually in 1936. Still, since 1959, it has become an annual event that locals and tourists alike look forward to. If you are looking for a bite to eat, you can stop in at a cafe named after one of North America’s most feared animals at the Noisy Goose Cafe. The local favorite offers classic American cuisine and vegetarian options. The town of Palmer is just waiting to welcome you.
Badger
The small community of Badger, Alaska, is the perfect place for those who love the great outdoors. This suburb of Fairbanks, Alaska, offers stellar opportunities to take in more natural wonders. During the winter months in Badger, you can hop on a snowmobile or dog sled with Rod's Alaskan Guide Service. Of course, all of that hiking and snowshoeing is bound to work up a hearty appetite. If you feel like going out for a bite to eat, do yourself a favor and stop in at Little Richard's Diner and try some reindeer sausage. Badger has a population of just under 20,000, and the cost of living is about 10% lower than the state median. It's nice to know that living here won't break the bank. So, pack your bags, your snowshoes, and your hiking boots.
Kotzebue
Sitting along the Kotzebue Sound, the little town of Kotzebue is currently home to just over 3,100, with a cost of living higher than the state’s median. Though native people have inhabited the area for thousands of years, it was first charted in 1818 by German explorer Otto von Kotzebue. While you’re in town, you can feel the history as you walk along the shoreline or visit the Northwest Arctic Heritage Center. For nature lovers, the Noatak National Preserve is a great place to spend time in the summer or winter. Hike along its many trails or take a relaxing kayak ride in the water. If you are looking for unique gifts to send to family and friends, make sure you visit the Sulianich Art Center. This small town has everything Alaska has to offer while never making you feel overcrowded.
Valdez
Incorporated in 1901, the beautiful town of Valdez, Alaska, got its name in 1790, after Spanish Navy Minister Antonio Valdés y Fernández Bazán. Since its founding, the town has grown to a population of just under 4,000 residents. If you’re a history lover, Valdez is the town for you. You can explore the Valdez Museum & Historical Archive or the Maxine & Jesse Museum Whitney, which features a large collection of native Alaskan art and artifacts. To get a grasp of the beauty of Valdez, do yourself a favor and take a walk along the Dock Point Park & Trail. Strolling along the water’s edge, viewing the boats in the harbor while taking in the breathtaking Chugach Mountains is an experience not to be missed. Within moments of entering Valdez, you’re sure to understand why people have called it home for hundreds of years.
Wrangell
The lovely town of Wrangell offers a great mix of culture, history, and nature in equal measure. With a population of just under 2,200 people, you will never feel crowded. To learn about the area’s amazing history, be sure to pay a visit to The Wrangell Museum. For a truly unique experience, pay a visit to nearby Shakes Island featuring a replica of a 19th-century Tlingit house. While there, you can gain a deeper understanding of the culture and history of the Tlingit native people who have inhabited the area for millennia. It’s no secret that Alaska has many natural wonders and incredible wildlife, and there is no better way to see it than a Wrangell Alaska Marine Sightseeing Tour. Just make sure you have space on your phone for all the photos you’ll take. With a cost of living about 14% below Alaska’s median average, it might be best to move to Wrangell before too many people get the same idea.
Anchor Point
Legend has it that the town of Anchor Point gained its name in early 1778 when Captain James Cook discovered the area and promptly lost his anchor in the water. Today, the community is home to about 2,100 residents who enjoy a cost of living that is a whopping 12% below the state median. If you’re a golfer, then you will love the Fireweed Meadows Golf Course, where you can take in the beautiful scenery while working on your putts. If golfing isn’t your thing, you can instead spend time at the Anchor River State Recreation Area. Here you can drift back in time as you walk along the shoreline of the Anchor River and listen to the waves reach shore, much like they have been doing for thousands of years. The state park is home to a plethora of Alaska’s incredible wildlife, including the iconic American bald eagle. If you’re lucky, you might catch a glimpse yourself. Or for a unique experience, why not have a picnic on the waterfront while enjoying a view of the spectacular Aleutian Range and Kenai Mountains. Anchor Point is also a haven for art lovers thanks to the Norman Lowell Art Gallery Foundation. The sprawling 10-000-square-foot facility sits on the Lowell homestead and contains over 300 paintings and artifacts of historical value. While you’re there, you might unlock your inner artist.
Soldotna
The town of Soldotna is a true Alaskan hidden gem. Just about a two-hour drive, or a short flight from nearby Anchorage, it sits along the Kenai River. Incorporated as a town in 1967, Soldotna is currently home to about 4,300 people who enjoy a cost of living that is 12% lower than the state average. When you are looking for some unique gifts or furnishings, you can stop in the local favorite Back Door Antique Co-op to find just the perfect thing. When you are in the mood to learn about the local history, the Soldotna Historical Society & Museum is the perfect spot. Their friendly staff are just waiting and ready to share their love and knowledge of the area with you. If you're up for a truly wild experience in your new hometown, you will love going on a Soldotna Bear Viewing Adventure. During one of those trips, you will get an amazing view of nature's most incredible and intimidating creatures. Soldotna is a friendly community that is just waiting for you to be a part of it.
The state of Alaska is nothing short of incredible. Between its beautiful and rugged environment, fascinating history, and its people, it's no wonder that Alaska has been attracting people for millennia. There are few places in the world where someone can experience everything found in Alaska, and even those who have lived here for decades haven't experienced it all. If you love the great outdoors, then Alaska is for you.
