Gustavus, AK vs Haines, AK

Gustavus, AK and Haines, AK have a very similar cost of living, with only a 2.4% difference in their overall index. Gustavus scores 93 while Haines scores 91 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.

On the housing front, median rent in Gustavus is $1,106/month compared to $914/month in Haines — a 21% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Haines has cheaper rent, Gustavus actually has lower median home values ($276,500 vs $321,000).

Median household income in Gustavus is $64,167 compared to $72,250 in Haines (-11.2%). Haines offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Gustavus spend roughly 20.7% of their income on rent, more than the 15.2% in Haines.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (40.7°F vs 41.9°F). Gustavus receives more rainfall at 58.7" per year compared to 47.4" in Haines.