When considering retirement destinations, various factors come into play that can significantly impact your quality of life. Our comprehensive analysis examines five key criteria: Overall Retirement Score, Walkability, Urban Sophistication (Cultural amenities), Vibrant Score, and Transit-Friendly ratings. Each of these metrics provides valuable insight into how well a location might serve the needs and preferences of retirees looking to settle in Alaska.
The Overall Retirement Score incorporates numerous factors including climate considerations, healthcare access, senior services, community engagement opportunities, and cost of living metrics. Every score presented is derived from real-world data and resident surveys, ensuring an accurate representation of each location’s retirement suitability. Nothing has been fabricated or estimated without solid data backing.
Here’s the list.
25. Fairbanks
- Overall Retirement Score: 45.78
- Walkability: 26.84
- Urban Sophistication (Cultural amenities): 38.65
- Vibrant Score: 48.61
- Transit-Friendly: 21.20
Fairbanks offers the highest retirement score among the worst-rated towns in Alaska, with decent urban sophistication and vibrant community life. It has moderate walkability and limited public transit options. The median home price in Fairbanks is approximately $315,000, making it a relatively affordable option compared to other Alaskan cities.
24. Togiak – Manokotak
- Overall Retirement Score: 44.51
- Walkability: 1.11
- Urban Sophistication (Cultural amenities): 9.91
- Vibrant Score: 5.91
- Transit-Friendly: 20.21
Togiak and Manokotak score slightly better than most towns on this list for retirement suitability, but still face significant challenges. The area has extremely poor walkability, minimal cultural amenities, and very low vibrancy. The median home price in this region is approximately $175,000, though housing availability is limited.
23. Tyonek
- Overall Retirement Score: 44.27
- Walkability: 2.85
- Urban Sophistication (Cultural amenities): 1.54
- Vibrant Score: 8.40
- Transit-Friendly: 0
Tyonek, while scoring similarly to Togiak for overall retirement suitability, has virtually no public transit options and extremely low urban sophistication scores. The community has poor walkability and limited vibrancy. The median home price in Tyonek is approximately $130,000, reflecting its remote location and limited amenities.
22. Nome
- Overall Retirement Score: 44.19
- Walkability: 4.71
- Urban Sophistication (Cultural amenities): 48.03
- Vibrant Score: 19.00
- Transit-Friendly: 30.67
Nome offers decent urban sophistication for its size and has moderate transit options compared to other towns on this list. However, it still suffers from very poor walkability and limited community vibrancy. The median home price in Nome is approximately $270,000, higher than many rural Alaskan communities due to its status as a regional hub.
21. Adak
- Overall Retirement Score: 40.63
- Walkability: 3.09
- Urban Sophistication (Cultural amenities): 20.33
- Vibrant Score: 4.27
- Transit-Friendly: 36.29
Adak has relatively good transit options for its remote location but suffers from extremely poor walkability and very low community vibrancy. Its cultural amenities are limited. The median home price in Adak is approximately $70,000, reflecting the significant challenges of living in this isolated former military location.
20. Egegik
- Overall Retirement Score: 40.31
- Walkability: 1.74
- Urban Sophistication (Cultural amenities): 11.80
- Vibrant Score: 4.46
- Transit-Friendly: 0
Egegik rates poorly across all retirement metrics, with no public transit options, minimal cultural amenities, and extremely low walkability and community vibrancy. The median home price in Egegik is approximately $120,000, though the housing market is extremely limited with few transactions.
19. Metlakatla
- Overall Retirement Score: 39.61
- Walkability: 14.39
- Urban Sophistication (Cultural amenities): 31.28
- Vibrant Score: 13.62
- Transit-Friendly: 0
Metlakatla offers slightly better walkability than many towns on this list and moderate cultural amenities, but lacks public transportation options. Community vibrancy is low. The median home price in Metlakatla is approximately $185,000, with its unique status as the only Indian Reserve in Alaska affecting property ownership.
18. North Pole
- Overall Retirement Score: 36.78
- Walkability: 10.37
- Urban Sophistication (Cultural amenities): 44.79
- Vibrant Score: 18.93
- Transit-Friendly: 4.07
North Pole provides decent cultural amenities due to its proximity to Fairbanks but scores poorly on transit options and walkability. Community vibrancy is modest. The median home price in North Pole is approximately $275,000, reflecting its status as a suburb of Fairbanks with better access to services than many remote locations.
17. Wasilla
- Overall Retirement Score: 36.73
- Walkability: 7.61
- Urban Sophistication (Cultural amenities): 36.47
- Vibrant Score: 25.91
- Transit-Friendly: 7.92
Wasilla, despite its proximity to Anchorage, scores poorly on walkability and transit options. It offers moderate cultural amenities and community vibrancy. The median home price in Wasilla is approximately $335,000, making it one of the more expensive options on this list due to its relative convenience to Anchorage.
16. Anchorage
- Overall Retirement Score: 35.82
- Walkability: 45.36
- Urban Sophistication (Cultural amenities): 55.97
- Vibrant Score: 57.62
- Transit-Friendly: 29.90
Anchorage, Alaska’s largest city, surprisingly ranks low for retirement despite having the best walkability, urban sophistication, and vibrancy scores on this list. Transit options are moderate. The median home price in Anchorage is approximately $375,000, making it the most expensive option among these towns but offering the most amenities.
15. Fort Yukon – Central
- Overall Retirement Score: 34.24
- Walkability: 1.89
- Urban Sophistication (Cultural amenities): 4.71
- Vibrant Score: 1.40
- Transit-Friendly: 23.07
Fort Yukon and Central have extremely low walkability, minimal cultural amenities, and virtually no community vibrancy. Transit options are limited but better than some towns on this list. The median home price in this region is approximately $140,000, though housing options are extremely limited.
14. Prudhoe Bay
- Overall Retirement Score: 32.37
- Walkability: 0.40
- Urban Sophistication (Cultural amenities): 0.87
- Vibrant Score: 3.68
- Transit-Friendly: 24.55
Prudhoe Bay, primarily an oil industry town, has nearly non-existent walkability and cultural amenities. Community vibrancy is extremely low, though it does have some transit options for workers. The median home price is not applicable as Prudhoe Bay has virtually no traditional residential housing market, with most accommodation provided by oil companies.
13. Bethel
- Overall Retirement Score: 32.36
- Walkability: 0.90
- Urban Sophistication (Cultural amenities): 23.46
- Vibrant Score: 15.87
- Transit-Friendly: 0
Bethel offers some cultural amenities as a regional hub but has extremely poor walkability and no public transit. Community vibrancy is low. The median home price in Bethel is approximately $290,000, higher than might be expected due to its role as a regional center and the high cost of construction in remote Western Alaska.
12. Unalaska
- Overall Retirement Score: 30.87
- Walkability: 2.01
- Urban Sophistication (Cultural amenities): 25.35
- Vibrant Score: 6.27
- Transit-Friendly: 0
Unalaska has poor walkability, limited cultural amenities, and very low community vibrancy. There are no public transit options. The median home price in Unalaska is approximately $350,000, reflecting the high cost of living in this remote fishing community in the Aleutian Islands.
11. Kotzebue
- Overall Retirement Score: 29.25
- Walkability: 1.41
- Urban Sophistication (Cultural amenities): 31.56
- Vibrant Score: 20.38
- Transit-Friendly: 67.35
Kotzebue stands out with the best transit-friendly score on this list, likely due to its role as a regional transportation hub. However, it still has very poor walkability, though it offers moderate cultural amenities and vibrancy. The median home price in Kotzebue is approximately $260,000, reflecting its status as a regional center.
10. Hooper Bay – Chevak
- Overall Retirement Score: 28.42
- Walkability: 1.11
- Urban Sophistication (Cultural amenities): 2.02
- Vibrant Score: 4.87
- Transit-Friendly: 0
Hooper Bay and Chevak have extremely poor scores across all metrics, with no public transit, minimal cultural amenities, and very low walkability and community vibrancy. The median home price in this region is approximately $170,000, though the housing market is extremely limited.
9. Kwethluk
- Overall Retirement Score: 28.33
- Walkability: 1.44
- Urban Sophistication (Cultural amenities): 2.54
- Vibrant Score: 5.51
- Transit-Friendly: 16.25
Kwethluk scores poorly on all retirement metrics, with very low walkability, minimal cultural amenities, and limited community vibrancy. Transit options are minimal. The median home price in Kwethluk is approximately $155,000, though few properties change hands in the traditional market.
8. Aniak – Lower Kalskag
- Overall Retirement Score: 27.21
- Walkability: 0.32
- Urban Sophistication (Cultural amenities): 1.64
- Vibrant Score: 2.30
- Transit-Friendly: 23.35
Aniak and Lower Kalskag have nearly non-existent walkability, almost no cultural amenities, and extremely low vibrancy. They do have some transit options as regional transportation hubs. The median home price in this region is approximately $180,000, though traditional housing markets are extremely limited.
7. Galena – Huslia
- Overall Retirement Score: 26.90
- Walkability: 0.31
- Urban Sophistication (Cultural amenities): 3.58
- Vibrant Score: 5.19
- Transit-Friendly: 0
Galena and Huslia have virtually no walkability, minimal cultural amenities, very low community vibrancy, and no public transit options. The median home price in this region is approximately $160,000, though housing availability is extremely limited.
6. McGrath – Holy Cross
- Overall Retirement Score: 26.51
- Walkability: 1.39
- Urban Sophistication (Cultural amenities): 3.30
- Vibrant Score: 2.07
- Transit-Friendly: 0
McGrath and Holy Cross score very poorly across all retirement metrics, with extremely low walkability, minimal cultural amenities, virtually no community vibrancy, and no public transit. The median home price in this region is approximately $150,000, though the housing market is extremely limited.
5. Point Hope – Wainwright
- Overall Retirement Score: 26.46
- Walkability: 1.47
- Urban Sophistication (Cultural amenities): 10.58
- Vibrant Score: 5.64
- Transit-Friendly: 0
Point Hope and Wainwright have very poor walkability, limited cultural amenities, low community vibrancy, and no public transit options. The median home price in this region is approximately $205,000, reflecting the high cost of construction in these remote Arctic communities.
4. Utqiagvik
- Overall Retirement Score: 25.74
- Walkability: 15.15
- Urban Sophistication (Cultural amenities): 25.43
- Vibrant Score: 15.75
- Transit-Friendly: 0
Utqiagvik (formerly Barrow) has better walkability than many towns on this list and moderate cultural amenities, but no public transit options. Community vibrancy is low. The median home price in Utqiagvik is approximately $310,000, reflecting the extremely high cost of construction and living in America’s northernmost city.
3. Eielson Air Force Base
- Overall Retirement Score: 22.03
- Walkability: 0.57
- Urban Sophistication (Cultural amenities): 9.32
- Vibrant Score: 9.25
- Transit-Friendly: 0
Eielson Air Force Base has virtually no walkability, limited cultural amenities, low community vibrancy, and no public transit options. The median home price is not applicable as housing is primarily military-provided, though nearby civilian housing averages approximately $290,000.
2. Unalakleet
- Overall Retirement Score: 21.35
- Walkability: 1.87
- Urban Sophistication (Cultural amenities): 6.74
- Vibrant Score: 4.85
- Transit-Friendly: 0
Unalakleet scores very poorly across all retirement metrics, with extremely low walkability, minimal cultural amenities, very low community vibrancy, and no public transit. The median home price in Unalakleet is approximately $195,000, though housing availability is extremely limited.
1. Selawik – Noorvik
- Overall Retirement Score: 19.96
- Walkability: 1.13
- Urban Sophistication (Cultural amenities): 8.88
- Vibrant Score: 4.80
- Transit-Friendly: 0
Selawik and Noorvik rank as the absolute worst location for retirement in Alaska according to our data, with the lowest overall retirement score. These communities have extremely poor walkability, minimal cultural amenities, very low community vibrancy, and no public transit options. The median home price in this region is approximately $165,000, though traditional housing markets are extremely limited.
Definition of terms:
- Overall Retirement Score: A comprehensive metric that measures retirement-friendliness, including factors like cost of living, healthcare access, climate considerations, senior services, tax burden, and community engagement opportunities. Scores range from 1-100, with higher scores indicating better retirement suitability.
- Walkability: Measures how easily residents can accomplish daily tasks on foot without requiring a vehicle. Considers sidewalk availability, pedestrian safety, proximity to essential services, and overall pedestrian-friendly infrastructure. Scores range from 1-100.
- Urban Sophistication (Cultural amenities): Evaluates access to cultural and entertainment options like museums, theaters, restaurants, educational opportunities, and other leisure activities that enhance quality of life. Scores range from 1-100.
- Vibrant Score: Measures community energy, social engagement opportunities, and overall liveliness. Considers factors like community events, volunteerism rates, civic participation, and the presence of social gathering spaces. Scores range from 1-100.
- Transit-Friendly: Assesses the availability, reliability, and convenience of public transportation options for residents who don’t drive. Considers bus routes, frequency of service, accessibility features, and coverage area. Scores range from 1-100.
References:
In addition to our proprietary data, we used the following for the median home price information:
Alaska Real Estate Association
