9 Best Alaska Towns For Retirees

Alaska's rough and wild scenery is often an irresistible allure to retirees dreaming of epic outdoor action, from world-class fishing, hiking, and skiing. "The Last Frontier" is also a fun place to see and mingle with rare wildlife species, whether spotting bald eagles soaring above the treetops, watching bears scoop salmon from rushing rivers, or catching a glimpse of moose wandering through quiet forest trails. From Ketchikan to Wasilla, discover the nine best Alaska towns for retirees.

Ketchikan

Personal finance website SmartAsset evaluated the best places to retire in Alaska based on several factors, including the tax burden of every city and the number of recreation centres per 1,000 residents. Ketchikan is ranked among the top 10 places to retire in Alaska. According to data from Zillow, the median listing home price in Ketchikan is $457,333, just a hair above the statewide median of $433,650. It is located on Revillagigedo Island, near the southeastern tip of the Last Frontier, and offers the Deer Mountain Trailhead for exploration, the swoon-worthy City Park, a cool, small space with water features, and several water bodies, including the Lower and Upper Ketchikan Lakes. Regarding healthcare, PeaceHealth Ketchikan Medical Center is right in town, so there is no need to worry about a midnight emergency.

Seward

Seward is in the Kenai Peninsula Borough and is one of the best places to retire in Alaska for several reasons. The town has many bars, restaurants, coffee shops, decent public schools, a cute marina, and the phenomenal Alaska SeaLife Center, where you can mingle with sea lions and several other marine life species. Hoben Park is an excellent place for regular walks, while Waterfront Park, with its playground and skate park, will leave your grandkids blown away. It boasts amazing bay scenery and beautiful mountains in the distance. Taking the cue, Mount Marathon Trailhead features a hike that leads to a pretty waterfall. Meanwhile, Providence Seward Medical Center is in town, meaning you can access reliable healthcare immediately. Finally, although Zillow does not show Seward's median listing price, the average Seward home value is a reasonable $354,764.

Haines

If you want to be biking through charming streets, camping under the stars in the heart of nature, or fishing in pristine waters, Haines is just what you have in mind. Battery Point Trail, one of the town's best outdoor spots, starts just a mile and a half south of town and winds through a lush rainforest that leads to a breathtaking beach. Not to be outdone, the scenery along Mount Riley Trail, an epic adventure that takes hikers to a 1,760-foot summit, is one for the books. On a different note, cultural attractions include places like the Haines Sheldon Museum, which documents the history and culture of the Chilkat Valley. There is also the fascinating Hammer Museum, one of the most unique museums in North America. Zillow has not posted the town's median listing price, although the average Haines home value is $353,574, a price point that comes with access to the Haines Health Center, the go-to place for primary medical services.

Valdez

Valdez offers retirees a plethora of fun and engaging activities, along with a lifestyle that is both slow and upbeat. Expect a strong sense of community, breathtaking natural beauty, and, as you would expect, access to incredible outdoor activities. The Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel, North America’s longest highway tunnel, boosts the town’s connectivity, meaning you can reach several destinations in a blink. Meanwhile, the beautiful Valdez Glacier Lake is a fun place to kayak, while Robe Lake is surrounded by lovely trails that lead to scenic viewpoints. Once in a while, you can float down the Lowe River, a popular destination for whitewater rafting. While Zillow does not indicate the median listing price in Valdez, the average is $352,826. Another nice thing is that Providence Valdez Medical Center is in town.

Soldotna

Soldotna is a calm, easy-going town, although it can get busy during the fishing season. This is because the Kenai River, one of the region’s premier outdoor venues, is the most heavily fished in Alaska. The town offers world-renowned salmon fishing and epic winter pastimes such as sledding and skiing. Other outdoor pleasure spots include Kenai National Wildlife Refuge, which has quiet, relaxing trails to explore, and Tsalteshi Ski Trails, probably the most incredible outdoor trails for skiing and snowshoeing. It is nestled in the trees right outside of Soldotna. According to the data, as of June 2025, the median house listing price in Soldotna is $460,833, with immediate access to the highly rated Central Peninsula Hospital.

Sterling

Sterling is a slow-paced outdoor paradise scattered with beautiful lakes. It boasts a median listing price of $452,267, within a reasonable range of the statewide median. Bing's Landing Campground & Day Use Area, the favorite place for most families to fish during the sockeye run, is a lovely park along the Kenai River. Another superb outdoor option is the Izaak Walton State Recreation Area, a nice place to go camping with family or a fellow empty nester. A retiree can also paddle Scout Lake or catch up with friends and neighbours at the Sterling Community Center. Additionally, Central Peninsula Hospital is a 49-bed, full-service hospital that has been providing medical care to area residents since 1971.

Wasilla

If you value space, nature, and a rugged, independent lifestyle, Wasilla will easily sweep you off your feet. Residents enjoy a small-town lifestyle surrounded by stunning natural beauty with mountains, lakes, and abundant wildlife. Another great attribute is that Anchorage, Alaska's largest city, is just an hour's drive away. Wasilla Lake, which boasts a decent population of rainbow trout, is one of several outdoor pleasure spots to keep a retiree engaged. You can paddle Cottonwood Lake or Lucille Lake, or float down Knik River, which boasts glaciers, rivers, and wildlife views. The median listing price in Wasilla is $462,650, an excellent price point, especially considering you have doorstep access to Mat-Su Regional Medical Center and endless other options in neighbouring Anchorage.

Petersburg

Water and ice are the features that drew Norwegian immigrant Peter Buschmann to this restful, photo-worthy location in the 1890s. Surprisingly, the allure of water and ice is still something that several retirees find irresistible. Today, Petersburg is as culturally close to Norway as any location. No wonder it has been called Alaska's "Little Norway.” To retire here is to live amidst a backdrop of natural wonders, including Sandy Beach Park, which has petroglyphs of ancient native rock carvings; Mitkof Island, where you’ll find the world’s largest temperate rainforest; and the Blind River Rapids Trail, a cool place to enjoy a beautiful walk on a well-maintained boardwalk. Also, Petersburg Medical Center operates a round-the-clock emergency services department, meaning healthcare access is not an issue. The average Petersburg home value is $344,620.

Craig

Craig is a sleepy fishing town on Prince of Wales Island in Southeast Alaska. It is the go-to place for fishing sports because it is just a short run out to open and vast oceanic waters and offers excellent holes with scenic mountainous views. If you have a thing for deliciously cooked salmon, there is no better place to retire than Craig. You can work with places like Catch-A-King for top-notch fishing experiences, enjoy a delightful range of water-based activities at the nearby Klawock Lake, or float down Klawock River. Craig may not boast the amenities of Anchorage, but it is among the most affordable locations in Alaska. Realtor.com says Craig's median listing price is incredibly budget-friendly, at $299,000. PeaceHealth Medical Group Prince of Wales, which opened in 2010, provides primary-care services, opportunities for telemedicine, and space for visiting specialists to meet with patients.

Have you dreamt of retiring where rugged beauty and wild scenery create an ambiance of solemnity and austere grandeur? Alaska presents an unparalleled attraction. You can see bald eagles soaring up to heaven from the comfort of your bedroom and enjoy the kind of serenity and freedom that is worryingly addictive. The best part is that taxes in Alaska are very low, especially if you are an empty nester. This redeems the reputation of the state as expensive. Find a town resembling a Hollywood movie's setting, and spend your sunset years jumping from adventure to adventure.