Best boroughs to retire to in Alaska
Best boroughs to retire to in Alaska
Buyers and sellers of real estate alike—when asked what the three most essential considerations about a property are—will nearly always reply "location, location, location." While this answer is sometimes tongue-in-cheek, it is often quite accurate, and this reply perhaps applies to retirees more than any other demographic. Settling down after a lifetime of working and possibly raising a family calls for the perfect location: a spot where you can enjoy life with as few concerns as possible.
When seniors aged 65 or older decide where they want to live out their golden years, they consider particular factors, such as the cost of living, government services, health care facilities, weather and overall climate, crime rate, outdoor recreational activities, eating establishments, cultural and entertainment opportunities, and more.
To find the best boroughs to retire to in Alaska based on these criteria, Stacker compiled a list using 2025 rankings from Niche, which ranks boroughs based on cost of living, health care access, recreation, weather, and more. You can read more about Niche's methodology here.
While location is critical as retirees determine where to spend their senior years enjoying favorite activities, it's a unique decision based on many preferences and needs. Whether it be bustling downtowns or access to parks, affordable home prices or cultural amenities like museums, retirees seeking to settle in a permanent spot are sure to find a private paradise in any of these boroughs recommended by Niche because, in the end, there is no place like home—no matter the location.
Read on to discover the best boroughs to retire to in Alaska.
#25. Aleutians West Borough
- Niche grades: good for retirees (D-), cost of living (D+), weather (not available), outdoor activities (D-)
- Population: 5,178
- Median household income: $107,344
- Median home value: $419,100
- Top places to live: Unalaska (B), St. Paul (C-), Adak (C-)
#24. Kusilvak Borough
- Niche grades: good for retirees (D-), cost of living (B+), weather (not available), outdoor activities (D-)
- Population: 8,277
- Median household income: $48,233
- Median home value: $72,700
- Top places to live: Emmonak (C-), Russian Mission (C-), Hooper Bay (C-)
#23. Bethel Borough
- Niche grades: good for retirees (D-), cost of living (C-), weather (not available), outdoor activities (D-)
- Population: 18,487
- Median household income: $70,616
- Median home value: $120,600
- Top places to live: Bethel (C), Akiak (C-), Toksook Bay (C-)
#22. North Slope Borough
- Niche grades: good for retirees (D-), cost of living (C+), weather (not available), outdoor activities (D)
- Population: 10,891
- Median household income: $86,313
- Median home value: $219,600
- Top places to live: Wainwright (C-), Atqasuk (C-), Point Lay (C-)
#21. Dillingham Borough
- Niche grades: good for retirees (D-), cost of living (C+), weather (not available), outdoor activities (C)
- Population: 4,780
- Median household income: $74,250
- Median home value: $163,800
- Top places to live: Dillingham (B-), Manokotak (C+), Togiak (C-)
#20. Nome Borough
- Niche grades: good for retirees (D-), cost of living (C), weather (not available), outdoor activities (D-)
- Population: 9,925
- Median household income: $76,643
- Median home value: $201,000
- Top places to live: Nome (C+), Unalakleet (B), Golovin (C)
#19. Lake and Peninsula Borough
- Niche grades: good for retirees (D-), cost of living (B-), weather (not available), outdoor activities (C-)
- Population: 1,007
- Median household income: $64,000
- Median home value: $166,100
- Top places to live: Kokhanok (B-), Port Alsworth (C-), Newhalen (C-)
#18. Kodiak Island Borough
- Niche grades: good for retirees (D-), cost of living (D+), weather (not available), outdoor activities (B-)
- Population: 12,878
- Median household income: $83,716
- Median home value: $382,700
- Top places to live: Kodiak (B), Womens Bay (B-), Port Lions (C-)
#17. Northwest Arctic Borough
- Niche grades: good for retirees (D-), cost of living (B-), weather (not available), outdoor activities (C-)
- Population: 7,611
- Median household income: $81,298
- Median home value: $162,500
- Top places to live: Kotzebue (C+), Kiana (C), Selawik (C-)
#16. Fairbanks North Star Borough
- Niche grades: good for retirees (D-), cost of living (C-), weather (not available), outdoor activities (C)
- Population: 95,555
- Median household income: $84,722
- Median home value: $282,500
- Top places to live: College (A-), Ester (B-), Fairbanks (B-)
#15. Aleutians East Borough
- Niche grades: good for retirees (D-), cost of living (B-), weather (not available), outdoor activities (D-)
- Population: 3,423
- Median household income: $72,692
- Median home value: $144,300
- Top places to live: Sand Point (B), Akutan (B), King Cove (B-)
#14. Skagway Borough
- Niche grades: good for retirees (D-), cost of living (C-), weather (not available), outdoor activities (B+)
- Population: 1,308
- Median household income: $78,594
- Median home value: $430,000
- Top places to live: Skagway (B+)
#13. Hoonah-Angoon Borough
- Niche grades: good for retirees (D-), cost of living (C+), weather (D-), outdoor activities (C+)
- Population: 2,313
- Median household income: $62,500
- Median home value: $278,300
- Top places to live: Gustavus (B-), Hoonah (B-), Tenakee Springs (C)
#12. Ketchikan Gateway Borough
- Niche grades: good for retirees (D), cost of living (C-), weather (not available), outdoor activities (B-)
- Population: 13,870
- Median household income: $89,155
- Median home value: $379,000
- Top places to live: Ketchikan (B), Saxman (C)
#11. Southeast Fairbanks Borough
- Niche grades: good for retirees (D), cost of living (C), weather (not available), outdoor activities (D)
- Population: 6,936
- Median household income: $74,223
- Median home value: $262,800
- Top places to live: Delta Junction (B-), Big Delta (C+), Tanacross (C+)
#10. Petersburg Borough
- Niche grades: good for retirees (D), cost of living (C-), weather (not available), outdoor activities (C-)
- Population: 3,394
- Median household income: $77,026
- Median home value: $301,300
- Top places to live: Petersburg (B+)
#9. Bristol Bay Borough
- Niche grades: good for retirees (D+), cost of living (C), weather (not available), outdoor activities (C-)
- Population: 878
- Median household income: $100,625
- Median home value: $269,800
- Top places to live: King Salmon (A-), Naknek (B+)
#8. Yukon-Koyukuk Borough
- Niche grades: good for retirees (D+), cost of living (B), weather (not available), outdoor activities (D)
- Population: 5,271
- Median household income: $52,642
- Median home value: $87,800
- Top places to live: Galena (B), Minto (C+), Nulato (C+)
#7. Prince of Wales-Hyder Borough
- Niche grades: good for retirees (D+), cost of living (C+), weather (not available), outdoor activities (C+)
- Population: 5,730
- Median household income: $59,079
- Median home value: $221,800
- Top places to live: Craig (B), Thorne Bay (B-), Kake (C+)
#6. Haines Borough
- Niche grades: good for retirees (C-), cost of living (C), weather (not available), outdoor activities (B-)
- Population: 2,077
- Median household income: $72,607
- Median home value: $318,900
- Top places to live: Haines (A-), Mosquito Lake (B-), Mud Bay (unavailable)
#5. Yakutat Borough
- Niche grades: good for retirees (C-), cost of living (C+), weather (not available), outdoor activities (C)
- Population: 506
- Median household income: $80,625
- Median home value: $185,000
- Top places to live: Yakutat (B)
#4. Valdez-Cordova Borough
- Niche grades: good for retirees (C-), cost of living (C+), weather (not available), outdoor activities (not available)
- Population: 9,243
- Median household income: $79,867
- Median home value: $222,200
- Top places to live: Whittier (A-), Valdez (B+), Cordova (B+)
#3. Denali Borough
- Niche grades: good for retirees (C-), cost of living (B-), weather (not available), outdoor activities (D)
- Population: 2,029
- Median household income: $88,935
- Median home value: $262,000
- Top places to live: Healy (B+), Anderson (B), Denali Park (C+)
#2. Kenai Peninsula Borough
- Niche grades: good for retirees (C), cost of living (C), weather (not available), outdoor activities (A-)
- Population: 59,843
- Median household income: $77,722
- Median home value: $297,500
- Top places to live: Kalifornsky (B+), Kenai (B), Ridgeway (B)
#1. Matanuska-Susitna Borough
- Niche grades: good for retirees (D-), cost of living (C-), weather (C-), outdoor activities (B)
- Population: 110,677
- Median household income: $90,625
- Median home value: $319,200
- Top places to live: Gateway (B), Palmer (B), Tanaina (B-)
This story features data reporting by Wade Zhou and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 50 states.
