Anchorage, AK Rent To Own Homes

Rent-to-Own Homes in Anchorage, AK: What You Need to Know

The largest city in Alaska, Anchorage is one of America’s true natural beauties. As with the entire State of Alaska, the cost of living in Anchorage can be quite high, and the temperatures are freezing for most of the year. However, the schools are top tier, and the local population is diverse and rich in history.

Cost of Living

It’s 28% more expensive to live here when compared to the national average. Groceries are 26% more costly, and healthcare is 44% higher. Housing and housing costs are 47% more expensive, as well. The median home price is $510,784. 65% of households are owner-occupied. The average rent is $1,031 per month for a 698 square foot apartment. One-bedroom apartments usually cost around $942 per month, and two-bedrooms are about $1,082 per month. 

Schools and Higher Education

Because Alaska can be so sparsely populated, it’s important to bear in mind the education options. There are 100 public schools in the Anchorage School District, teaching 48,000 students across a great many miles. The students’ math and reading scores rank higher here than the state's average, and the district has some of the top-ranked schools in the entire state. There are 17 private schools here as well, educating 2,000 students. 

There are several colleges and universities in Anchorage, for those interested in staying close to home. University of Alaska Anchorage, Alaska Pacific University, and Charter College are all in Anchorage. 

Weather and Climate 

Anchorage residents experience a subarctic climate, meaning summers are cool and short, while winters are painfully long, ice-cold, and wet. The coldest month is January, where temperatures often dip to 11°F. July is the warmest month here, with an average high of 66°F. It rains about 17” per year, and snows nearly 83” as well. 

Local History

Anchorage has a rich history stretching back for thousands of years. As a result of the 1898 Klondike Gold Rush, tens of thousands of American people flooded the state in the hope of finding their fortune. In 1915, Congress approved the first federally-owned railroad in the entire country. As a result, a “tent city” popped up – this was an early Anchorage. Many American icons, including Curt Schilling, Valerie Plame Wilson, and Irene Bedard were all raised here. 

Local Population

Home to 286,000 residents, Anchorage is the largest city in Alaska. The median age here is 33. 12% of the population is Native, the largest native population in the entire state. 63% of the population is white, 10% is mixed race, and 10% is Asian American. 36% of the residents have a Bachelor’s degree, and nearly 27,000 people are veterans.