Gustavus, AK vs Upper Kalskag, AK

Upper Kalskag is moderately more affordable than Gustavus, with a 8.3% lower cost of living index. Gustavus scores 93 compared to 86 for Upper Kalskag, 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 $1,025/month in Upper Kalskag — a 8% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Upper Kalskag is more affordable at $219,400 median vs $276,500.

Median household income in Gustavus is $64,167 compared to $49,167 in Upper Kalskag (+30.5%). While Gustavus is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Gustavus spend roughly 20.7% of their income on rent, less than the 25% in Upper Kalskag.

Climate-wise, Gustavus is notably warmer with an average of 40.7°F compared to 31.4°F in Upper Kalskag. Gustavus receives more rainfall at 58.7" per year compared to 19.7" in Upper Kalskag.