Cost of living in Bethel, Alaska

Bethel, Alaska has about 6,312 people. That count is a 2020–2024 Census average, not a headcount from one day.

A typical home is worth about $360,200.

HUD's fair-market rent for a 2-bedroom in Bethel Census Area is $1,971 a month. That is the county number, not an apartment listing in Bethel. It runs from October 2026 through September 2027.

Alaska's prices sit at 102.4 when the U.S. average is 100. This place is not in a metro area with its own index, so this is the state number from BEA for 2024.

Alaska does not tax wages. A typical combined sales tax is 1.8% as of January 1, 2026. That mix is statewide, not Bethel's exact store tax.

In July 2026, a typical Alaska home paid 28.83¢ per kilowatt-hour. That is a state average from EIA, not Bethel's bill.

EIA did not publish a 2025 all-grades gas price for Alaska in the table we use.

Among 63 places we list in Alaska with a rent figure, 7 have higher typical rent than Bethel.