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Barrow, AK Utility & Living Guide
Utilities, housing, taxes, cost of living, and local insights — everything residents and families need.
Monthly Utility Costs
$250/mo
—
$100/mo
$50/mo
$100/mo
Housing Market
| Rent & Property | |
|---|---|
| 1 Bedroom | $1800/mo |
| 2 Bedrooms | $2500/mo |
| 3 Bedrooms | $3500/mo |
| Median Home Price | $340,000 |
| Property Tax Rate | 1.5% |
| Avg Childcare/mo | $1200 |
The housing market in Barrow is limited, with most homes being owned by the City or the North Slope Borough. Rentals are scarce and often expensive due to the high cost of living and transportation. Homeownership is also challenging due to the harsh Arctic environment and high maintenance costs.
Cost of Living
110
+10% above national average
120
150
120
$1200
Tax Rates
| Tax Overview | |
|---|---|
| Property Tax Rate | 1.5% |
| <p>No state sales tax, but some local taxes may apply</p> | |
Alaska has no state income tax, but residents may still be subject to federal income tax
Family & Relocation
60
5.5/10
$1200/mo
City Pulse
Public transit is limited, but the city has a few stroller-friendly areas, including the Utqiagvik Airport and some local parks
- The Tuzzy Consortium Library
- the Inupiat Heritage Center
- the Arctic Ocean shoreline
Best Neighborhoods for Families
Household Budget Calculator
Estimate your real monthly cost of living in Barrow based on your household profile.
📰 Live Local News
Residents must comply with regulations related to hunting, fishing, and whaling, as well as environmental protections for the Arctic ecosystem
Financial Tools
- Income Tax CalculatorEstimate take-home pay by state
- Mortgage CalculatorMonthly payment estimator
- Affordability CalculatorHow much home can you afford?
- Childcare Cost EstimatorCompare daycare costs by city
- Retirement PlannerRetirement readiness check
- Car Lease CalculatorMonthly lease payment estimator
- Savings CalculatorGrow your emergency fund
- City Comparison ToolCompare cities side by side
Find Another City Guide
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📊 Barrow — Census & Demographic Data
Official data from the US Census Bureau, American Community Survey.
☀️ Seasonal Utility Costs
Utility costs in Barrow fluctuate significantly by season, with higher electricity costs in the winter due to increased heating demands. In contrast, summer months see lower utility costs, but higher prices for groceries and other essentials due to increased shipping costs.
🏛️ Local Tax Details
The ZIP code 99723 has a property tax millage rate of 10.5, with no local surtaxes
👶 Family & Stroller Friendliness
4/10, due to limited sidewalk quality, few parks, and limited elevator access in transit, but with some family-friendly infrastructure, such as the Utqiagvik Airport and local community centers
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