Haines, AK vs St. Mary's, AK

Haines, AK and St. Mary's, AK have a very similar cost of living, with only a 0.1% difference in their overall index. Haines scores 91 while St. Mary's 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 Haines is $914/month compared to $1,500/month in St. Mary's — a 39% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Haines has cheaper rent, St. Mary's actually has lower median home values ($103,400 vs $321,000).

Median household income in Haines is $72,250 compared to $45,000 in St. Mary's (+60.6%). While Haines is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Haines spend roughly 15.2% of their income on rent, less than the 40% in St. Mary's. The Haines ratio exceeds the commonly recommended 30% threshold, which can put pressure on household budgets.

Climate-wise, Haines is notably warmer with an average of 41.9°F compared to 31.4°F in St. Mary's. Haines receives more rainfall at 47.4" per year compared to 19.7" in St. Mary's.