Gustavus, AK vs Houston, AK

Houston is moderately more affordable than Gustavus, with a 13.4% lower cost of living index. Gustavus scores 93 compared to 82 for Houston, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Gustavus can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Gustavus is $1,106/month compared to $831/month in Houston — a 33% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Houston is more affordable at $235,900 median vs $276,500.

Median household income in Gustavus is $64,167 compared to $60,865 in Houston (+5.4%). Gustavus does offer higher incomes, but the salary premium barely offsets the higher cost of living, leaving residents with a tighter budget. Looking at affordability, residents of Gustavus spend roughly 20.7% of their income on rent, more than the 16.4% in Houston.

Climate-wise, Gustavus is notably warmer with an average of 40.7°F compared to 37.1°F in Houston. Gustavus receives more rainfall at 58.7" per year compared to 12.6" in Houston.