Eielson AFB, AK vs Gateway, AK

Eielson AFB, AK and Gateway, AK have a very similar cost of living, with only a 0.3% difference in their overall index. Eielson AFB scores 122 while Gateway scores 122 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

Renters will find that Eielson AFB has a median rent of $2,021/month while Gateway comes in at $1,612/month, a 25% difference.

Median household income in Eielson AFB is $59,716 compared to $137,150 in Gateway (-56.5%). While Gateway is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Eielson AFB spend roughly 40.6% of their income on rent, more than the 14.1% in Gateway. The Gateway ratio exceeds the commonly recommended 30% threshold, which can put pressure on household budgets.

Climate-wise, Gateway is notably warmer with an average of 37.1°F compared to 31.2°F in Eielson AFB. Eielson AFB receives more rainfall at 15" per year compared to 12.6" in Gateway.