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City Housing Verdict

Meadow Lakes, AK

Manageable

The cost of living in Meadow Lakes, AK is 3% above the national average (Cost Index: 103). Homes here are typically valued around $305,100, compared to the $303,400 national median. The median household income is $81,250 — overall, living costs and earnings are reasonably balanced in this area.

Meadow Lakes looks comparatively manageable for household relocation, with 19% rent burden, 3.8x home-price-to-income, and a housing index of 101. Use the assumptions below to test whether your own budget still stays in the safe range.Data Sources: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 · BEA RPP 2023 · Zillow ZHVI

Data Updated: March 2026
Housing Feasibility Verdict
Safe

Based on your household income, housing mode, local rent, home value, property tax, and mortgage assumptions for Meadow Lakes.

Monthly Housing
$1,308/mo
Lower of rent or buy scenario
Housing Burden
19%
Healthy
Residual Cash
$4,963/mo
After housing and debt · $1,654/person
Rent vs Buy
Buying can be tested
Main pressure: home prices
Assumptions
Housing Mode
Confidence: MediumHome source: ACSRent source: ACSBEA proxy: msaHousehold size: 3Down payment: 20%Fixed burden: 27%
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Cost Index
103
Average
Based on housing costs · See methodology
Median Home Value
$305,100
Source: Census ACS
National: $303,400
Median Rent
$1,308/mo
Source: Census ACS
National: $1,348/mo
Household Income
$81,250
National: $78,538
Population
8,994
Purchasing Power
100
100 = national baseline

Cost of Living Breakdown

Each index uses 100 as the US national average. A score of 150 means 50% more expensive; 80 means 20% cheaper.

Housing Cost Index
101 / 100
Close to average
Rent Index
97 / 100
Close to average
Goods & Groceries
107 / 100
7% pricier than average
Utilities
112 / 100
12% higher utility bills
Healthcare & Services
103 / 100
In line with national average
Overall Index
103
Average

Meadow Lakes Mortgage Calculator

Pre-filled with the local median home value of $305,100 and Alaska's property tax rate of 1.04%.

Household Housing Budget

Local median household income is shown only as a place-side affordability input. Personal salary, filing status, and take-home pay analysis belong in salary.city.

Local Household Income
$81,250
Census ACS place context
Rent Burden Estimate
19%
Typical annual rent / local household income
Home Price to Income
3.8x
Typical home value / local household income
Use this section to judge whether Meadow Lakes looks structurally manageable for a household budget. For a specific job offer, filing status, payroll taxes, or salary equivalence across cities, run the income-side decision in salary.city.

Property Tax in Meadow Lakes, AK

Est. Annual Property Tax
$3,173
Monthly Impact
$264
Added to your mortgage
Effective Rate
1.04%
National avg: ~1.00%

Alaska Place Tax Context

Tax TypeAlaskaNational Avg
Property Tax Rate1.04%1.00%
Top Income Tax RateNo State Income Tax~5.0%
State Sales Tax1.82%~5.0%

Compare Meadow Lakes to Another City

Compare place-side costs such as housing, rent, groceries, utilities, services, and tax context.

Cost of Living Comparison

Compare place-side housing, rent, goods, services, and utility pressure between cities.

Meadow Lakes, AK
103
97
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Cost Index Comparison (100 = National Avg)

Housing CostsNational Avg: 100
Meadow Lakes, AK: 101
Rent Prices
97

FAQ: Living in Meadow Lakes

What is the cost of living like in Meadow Lakes, AK?+

Living costs in Meadow Lakes land close to the national average, with a Cost Index of 103 (where 100 = the US baseline). Housing is the largest variable: the median home value here is $305,100, and typical monthly rents run around $1,308. Groceries and utilities are slightly above what you would find in most US cities.

How does Meadow Lakes fit a household housing budget?+

Start with housing. Typical monthly rent is $1,308, while local median household income is $81,250. That implies a rent-burden proxy of about 19% before utilities and other costs. For a specific job offer, filing status, or take-home pay scenario, use salary.city.

How much are taxes in Meadow Lakes, AK?+

Alaska is one of the few states with no state income tax, which can save residents thousands of dollars per year. The effective property tax rate is 1.04%. On a home worth $305,100, that translates to roughly $3,173 per year in property taxes. Sales tax (state + local) averages around 1.82% on everyday purchases.

How much does it cost to rent in Meadow Lakes, AK?+

The typical monthly rent in Meadow Lakes is around $1,308. That's close to the $1,348 national median. For comparison, the median home value here is $305,100, so buyers should also factor in mortgage payments, property taxes, and insurance.

How much does a house cost in Meadow Lakes, AK?+

The median home in Meadow Lakes is valued at $305,100. With 20% down and a 6.5% mortgage rate, you'd be looking at roughly $1,543/month for principal and interest alone — before property taxes and insurance. About 79% of residents here own their homes.

Are groceries and utilities expensive in Meadow Lakes?+

Grocery prices in Meadow Lakes are noticeably pricier compared to the rest of the US (index: 107, where 100 is the national average). Utility bills (electricity, gas, water) are on the high side (index: 112). Both add meaningful weight to your monthly budget here.

What is Meadow Lakes, AK like to live in?+

Meadow Lakes is a small town with a population of about 8,994. The median age of residents is 37.9, which is close to the national median. The local poverty rate is 12.57%, near the national average of 12.4%.

Lower-Pressure Alternatives in Alaska

If Meadow Lakes feels tight, start with these same-state cities that look easier on rent burden or buy-side pressure.

Higher-Pressure Comparisons in Alaska

Use these city pages when you want to compare Meadow Lakes against tougher same-state markets before deciding whether the current city is already a stretch.

LC
Reviewed by LivabilityCalc Research Team
Financial Data Analysts · Census & Economic Data Specialists
Data Sources & Methodology
  • Real Estate & Housing: Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI, Smoothed & Seasonally Adjusted) and Zillow Observed Rent Index (ZORI). Structural fallback utilizes U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates.
  • Goods, Utilities & Services: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Metropolitan Area Regional Price Parities (MARPP), incorporating verified State Nonmetropolitan averages.
  • Mortgage Rates: Freddie Mac 30-Year Fixed Rate Mortgage Average in the United States (PMMS) via Federal Reserve Economic Data (FRED).
  • Tax Context: State-level property, sales, and income-tax context used for place-side relocation planning. Personal take-home pay and offer analysis are handled by salary.city.
  • Index Methodology: Weighting matrix derived from Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Consumer Expenditure Surveys (CEX) distributional models. Baseline standardized at 100. (Read methodology details)
Last data update: March 2026 · Mortgage rates updated monthly