When considering retirement locations, several factors come into play that can make or break your golden years. Our comprehensive analysis evaluates five key criteria to determine the least favorable retirement destinations in Alaska.
The Overall Retirement Score incorporates numerous factors including healthcare access, community engagement opportunities, senior services, tax benefits, and cost of living. Additional metrics measure Walkability, Urban Sophistication (cultural amenities), Vibrant Score (community engagement), and Transit-Friendly infrastructure, providing a well-rounded view of retirement livability. See the full definition of criteria towns at the end of this article.
Every score in our assessment is derived from real-world data and resident surveys, ensuring an authentic representation of each location. These aren’t subjective opinions but rather quantifiable measurements that help prospective retirees make informed decisions about where they might prefer not to settle down. Here’s the list.
1. Fairbanks
- Overall Retirement Score: 45.78
- Walkability: 26.84
- Urban Sophistication (Cultural amenities): 38.65
- Vibrant Score: 48.61
- Transit-Friendly: 21.20
Fairbanks is Alaska’s second-largest city, located in the interior region of the state. With a retirement score of 45.78, it offers the most amenities among our list but still presents challenges for retirees. Median home prices in Fairbanks range from $260,000 to $320,000, with a variety of housing options though few specifically designed for seniors. The extreme winter temperatures, often dropping below -40°F, require significant home heating infrastructure.
2. 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 – Manokotak are located in the Dillingham Census Area of southwestern Alaska. With a retirement score of 44.51, these Yup’ik communities present significant challenges for seniors. Median home prices range from $90,000 to $150,000, though the housing market is extremely limited, and most homes lack features that would accommodate aging residents.
3. Tyonek
- Overall Retirement Score: 44.27
- Walkability: 2.85
- Urban Sophistication (Cultural amenities): 1.54
- Vibrant Score: 8.40
- Transit-Friendly: N/A
Tyonek is a small village on the northwest shore of Cook Inlet in Alaska. With a retirement score of 44.27, this remote Dena’ina Athabascan community presents numerous challenges for seniors. Median home prices in Tyonek range from $85,000 to $130,000, though properties rarely enter the market, and most homes would require significant modifications to accommodate aging residents.
4. Nome
- Overall Retirement Score: 44.19
- Walkability: 4.71
- Urban Sophistication (Cultural amenities): 48.03
- Vibrant Score: 19.00
- Transit-Friendly: 30.67
Nome is located on the Seward Peninsula along the Bering Sea in western Alaska. With a retirement score of 44.19, this historic gold rush town presents significant challenges for seniors. Median home prices in Nome range from $200,000 to $270,000, though housing stock is limited and often requires substantial renovation to meet accessibility standards for older adults.
5. Adak
- Overall Retirement Score: 40.63
- Walkability: 3.09
- Urban Sophistication (Cultural amenities): 20.33
- Vibrant Score: 4.27
- Transit-Friendly: 36.29
Adak is located in the Aleutian Islands of Alaska, one of the westernmost points in the United States. With a retirement score of 40.63, this former naval base faces significant isolation challenges. Median home prices in Adak can be surprisingly low, ranging from $30,000 to $100,000, reflecting the extremely limited demand and the deteriorating condition of many buildings left from the naval station closure.
6. Egegik
- Overall Retirement Score: 40.31
- Walkability: 1.74
- Urban Sophistication (Cultural amenities): 11.80
- Vibrant Score: 4.46
- Transit-Friendly: N/A
Egegik is a small fishing village located on the Alaska Peninsula. With a retirement score of 40.31, this remote community presents significant challenges for seniors. Median home prices in Egegik range from $90,000 to $140,000, though properties rarely come on the market, and most homes require substantial improvements to meet the needs of older residents.
7. Metlakatla
- Overall Retirement Score: 39.61
- Walkability: 14.39
- Urban Sophistication (Cultural amenities): 31.28
- Vibrant Score: 13.62
- Transit-Friendly: N/A
Metlakatla is located on Annette Island in southeast Alaska, and is the state’s only federal Indian reservation. With a retirement score of 39.61, this isolated community presents unique challenges for seniors. Median home prices in Metlakatla range from $120,000 to $180,000, though the housing market is extremely limited, and many homes require significant updates to accommodate aging residents.
8. 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 is a small city near Fairbanks in interior Alaska. With a retirement score of 36.78, this Christmas-themed community presents several challenges for seniors. Median home prices in North Pole range from $230,000 to $290,000, with limited housing options specifically designed for older adults, and most homes requiring significant heating system investments for the extreme winter temperatures.
9. Wasilla
- Overall Retirement Score: 36.73
- Walkability: 7.61
- Urban Sophistication (Cultural amenities): 36.47
- Vibrant Score: 25.91
- Transit-Friendly: 7.92
Wasilla is located in the Matanuska-Susitna Valley, about 40 miles north of Anchorage. With a retirement score of 36.73, this growing community offers some amenities but falls short in several key areas for retirees. Median home prices in Wasilla range from $280,000 to $350,000, with a mix of older homes and new developments, though few are specifically designed with senior living in mind.
10. Anchorage
- Overall Retirement Score: 35.82
- Walkability: 45.36
- Urban Sophistication (Cultural amenities): 55.97
- Vibrant Score: 57.62
- Transit-Friendly: 29.90
Anchorage is Alaska’s largest city, located in the south-central region of the state. Despite being Alaska’s urban center, it scores surprisingly low at 35.82 for retirement living. Median home prices in Anchorage range from $350,000 to $450,000, with significant variability depending on neighborhood and property age. The housing market offers more options than elsewhere in Alaska but comes with high property taxes and maintenance costs.
11. 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 – Central are located in the Yukon Flats area of interior Alaska. With a retirement score of 34.24, these remote communities present significant challenges for seniors. Median home prices range from $80,000 to $140,000, though the housing market is extremely limited, and properties often require substantial investments to address weatherization and accessibility needs.
12. 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 is located on Alaska’s North Slope, primarily serving as an industrial hub for the oil industry. With a retirement score of 32.37, this is not designed as a residential community, especially for retirees. There is virtually no traditional housing market in Prudhoe Bay, with most accommodations being work camps and temporary housing for oil industry workers.
13. Bethel
- Overall Retirement Score: 32.36
- Walkability: 0.90
- Urban Sophistication (Cultural amenities): 23.46
- Vibrant Score: 15.87
- Transit-Friendly: N/A
Bethel is the largest community in western Alaska, serving as a regional hub for the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta. With a retirement score of 32.36, this remote city offers more services than surrounding villages but still presents significant challenges for retirees. Median home prices in Bethel range from $200,000 to $275,000, with limited housing options and high utility costs due to the remote location.
14. Unalaska
- Overall Retirement Score: 30.87
- Walkability: 2.01
- Urban Sophistication (Cultural amenities): 25.35
- Vibrant Score: 6.27
- Transit-Friendly: N/A
Unalaska is located in the Aleutian Islands of Alaska. With a retirement score of 30.87, this remote fishing community presents unique challenges for seniors. Median home prices in Unalaska range from $300,000 to $450,000, reflecting the high cost of living on the island and the limited housing stock available to non-industry workers.
15. Kotzebue
- Overall Retirement Score: 29.25
- Walkability: 1.41
- Urban Sophistication (Cultural amenities): 31.56
- Vibrant Score: 20.38
- Transit-Friendly: 67.35
Kotzebue is located on Alaska’s northwestern coast, serving as the hub for the Northwest Arctic Borough. With a retirement score of 29.25, this remote city has some amenities but still presents challenges for retirees. Median home prices in Kotzebue range from $180,000 to $250,000, with limited inventory and homes typically requiring substantial weatherproofing and energy efficiency upgrades.
16. Hooper Bay – Chevak
- Overall Retirement Score: 28.42
- Walkability: 1.11
- Urban Sophistication (Cultural amenities): 2.02
- Vibrant Score: 4.87
- Transit-Friendly: N/A
Hooper Bay – Chevak are coastal communities in the Kusilvak Census Area of western Alaska. With a retirement score of 28.42, these Cup’ik villages present numerous challenges for seniors. Median home prices range from $75,000 to $100,000, though the housing stock is limited and often requires significant updates to accommodate aging residents.
17. Kwethluk
- Overall Retirement Score: 28.33
- Walkability: 1.44
- Urban Sophistication (Cultural amenities): 2.54
- Vibrant Score: 5.51
- Transit-Friendly: 16.25
Kwethluk is situated in the Bethel Census Area of southwestern Alaska. With a retirement score of 28.33, this Yup’ik village faces significant challenges for retirees. Median home prices in Kwethluk are approximately $85,000 to $110,000, though housing availability is extremely limited, and most homes are not designed with accessibility features that seniors often require.
18. 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 – Lower Kalskag are located along the Kuskokwim River in southwestern Alaska. With a retirement score of 27.21, these remote villages present significant challenges for seniors. Median home prices range from $95,000 to $125,000, though the housing market is extremely limited, and homes often lack modern amenities that seniors might require for comfortable living.
19. Galena – Huslia
- Overall Retirement Score: 26.90
- Walkability: 0.31
- Urban Sophistication (Cultural amenities): 3.58
- Vibrant Score: 5.19
- Transit-Friendly: N/A
Galena – Huslia are remote villages in Alaska’s interior region. With a retirement score of 26.90, these communities offer few amenities for seniors. Median home prices range from $90,000 to $130,000, but the housing market is virtually non-existent, with most homes passing through families rather than being sold on the open market.
20. McGrath – Holy Cross
- Overall Retirement Score: 26.51
- Walkability: 1.39
- Urban Sophistication (Cultural amenities): 3.30
- Vibrant Score: 2.07
- Transit-Friendly: N/A
McGrath – Holy Cross encompasses two small communities along the Kuskokwim and Yukon Rivers in interior Alaska. With a retirement score of just 26.51, these villages face significant isolation challenges. Median home prices in these areas range from $85,000 to $110,000, but the housing stock is aging and often requires extensive weatherization and maintenance.
21. Point Hope – Wainwright
- Overall Retirement Score: 26.46
- Walkability: 1.47
- Urban Sophistication (Cultural amenities): 10.58
- Vibrant Score: 5.64
- Transit-Friendly: N/A
Point Hope – Wainwright includes two remote villages on Alaska’s North Slope. With a retirement score of 26.46, these isolated communities present significant challenges for seniors. Median home prices range from $150,000 to $200,000, though few properties ever come on the market, and most homes require substantial modifications to accommodate aging residents.
22. Utqiagvik
- Overall Retirement Score: 25.74
- Walkability: 15.15
- Urban Sophistication (Cultural amenities): 25.43
- Vibrant Score: 15.75
- Transit-Friendly: N/A
Utqiagvik (formerly known as Barrow) is the northernmost city in the United States, located on Alaska’s North Slope. With a retirement score of 25.74, the extreme climate poses significant challenges for seniors. The median home price in Utqiagvik is approximately $305,000, but the housing market is very limited and construction costs are among the highest in the nation due to the remote location and permafrost conditions.
23. Eielson Air Force Base
- Overall Retirement Score: 22.03
- Walkability: 0.57
- Urban Sophistication (Cultural amenities): 9.32
- Vibrant Score: 9.25
- Transit-Friendly: N/A
Eielson Air Force Base is located southeast of Fairbanks in Alaska’s interior. This military installation scores poorly for retirement with a 22.03 rating. Housing options on or near the base are primarily designed for active military personnel, with limited civilian housing available. Median home prices in nearby North Pole range from $230,000 to $275,000, but residential options specifically for retirees are scarce.
24. Unalakleet
- Overall Retirement Score: 21.35
- Walkability: 1.87
- Urban Sophistication (Cultural amenities): 6.74
- Vibrant Score: 4.85
- Transit-Friendly: N/A
Unalakleet sits on the Norton Sound in western Alaska. With a retirement score of just 21.35, this coastal village presents numerous challenges for seniors. Median home prices in Unalakleet are approximately $125,000, but the housing market is extremely tight with few properties available for purchase, and construction costs for new homes are prohibitively expensive due to materials needing to be shipped in.
25. Selawik – Noorvik
- Overall Retirement Score: 19.96
- Walkability: 1.13
- Urban Sophistication (Cultural amenities): 8.88
- Vibrant Score: 4.80
- Transit-Friendly: N/A
Selawik – Noorvik is located in the Northwest Arctic Borough of Alaska. This remote area presents significant challenges for retirees, with the lowest Overall Retirement Score on our list. The median home price in Selawik hovers around $115,000, though housing options are extremely limited, and most properties require substantial weatherproofing investments to withstand the harsh Arctic climate.
Definition of terms:
The following defines the various criteria used for each town:
- Overall retirement-friendly: Most weight applied to this criterion in determining the above 25 towns. A unique combination of peace and quiet, safety from crime, a vibrant mix of educated seniors and other age groups, and diverse housing choices.
- Walkable: Easy to navigate on foot.
- Urban Sophistication: Wealthy, educated, executives and professionals, who have urbane tastes in books, food, and travel, whether they actually live in a big city, or choose to reside in a small town. In big or medium-sized cities, urban sophisticates tend to frequent art institutions such as opera, symphonies, ballet, live theatre, and museums.
- Vibrant: Vibrant is defined based on environment and local businesses measured by these particular factors: Presence of retail and hospitality businesses, population density, and a concentration of young adults.
- Transit Friendly: Areas with good access to employment and a large percentage of residents using rail or bus transit.
References:
In addition to our proprietary data, we used the following for the median home price information.
- Alaska Real Estate Commission Market Report 2023
- Alaska Department of Commerce Community Database
- Zillow Alaska Home Value Index
- U.S. Census
