Each metric is scored on a scale of 1-100, with higher scores indicating better performance in that category.
Utqiagvik
Utqiagvik (formerly known as Barrow) ranks 24th with a first-time home buyer score of 8.11.
Car-friendliness is moderate (33.94) with a respectable vibrancy score (15.75) considering its remote location.
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Sutton
Sutton has a first-time home buyer score of 8.72, placing it 23rd on our list.
The town offers moderate family-friendliness (47.96) and strong vacation home potential (82.26).
The area requires a car with minimal walkability and moderate car-friendliness (53.58).
Sand Point King Cove
The Sand Point-King Cove area scores 9.16 for first-time home buyers, ranking 22nd.
These communities offer moderate family-friendliness (36.36) and strong vacation home potential (75.32).
Transportation options are limited with low scores for walkability (4.81) and car-friendliness (20.50).
The median home price is approximately $160,000, representing good value for these remote Aleutian fishing communities.
Fairbanks
Fairbanks ranks 21st with a first-time home buyer score of 9.34.
The city offers moderate family-friendliness (38.38) but limited vacation home potential (6.05).
Anchorage
Alaskas largest city, Anchorage, ranks 20th with a score of 9.73 for first-time home buyers.
It also has the best transit options in the state (29.90).
The median home price in Anchorage is approximately $375,000, reflecting its urban amenities and employment opportunities.
Trapper Creek Skwentna
The Trapper Creek-Skwentna area ranks 19th with a first-time home buyer score of 10.68.
This region offers excellent family-friendliness (75.86) and strong vacation home potential (80.97).
The area provides moderate car-friendliness (56.86) with minimal walkability.
Yakutat
Yakutat ranks 18th with a first-time home buyer score of 11.91.
The town offers moderate family-friendliness (39.80) and good vacation home potential (64.43).
This remote community has limited walkability (3.78) and moderate car-friendliness (44.03).
Nenana Tanana
The Nenana-Tanana area ranks 17th with a first-time home buyer score of 12.05.
These communities offer moderate family-friendliness (37.80) and good vacation home potential (66.24).
Both walkability (3.41) and car-friendliness (27.14) are limited in these remote Interior villages.
Petersburg
Petersburg ranks 16th with a first-time home buyer score of 12.21.
The town offers strong family-friendliness (63.14) and excellent vacation home potential (87.07).
The median home price is approximately $245,000, providing value in this scenic fishing community in Southeast Alaska.
Wasilla
Wasilla ranks 15th with a first-time home buyer score of 12.45.
The city offers strong family-friendliness (63.99) but limited vacation home potential (6.12).
Wasilla is highly car-friendly (75.37) with some walkability (7.61) and decent vibrancy (25.91).
Soldotna
Soldotna ranks 14th with a first-time home buyer score of 14.86.
The town offers moderate family-friendliness (44.84) and good vacation home potential (73.08).
Willow
Willow ranks 13th with a first-time home buyer score of 15.41.
The community offers excellent family-friendliness (79.24) and strong vacation home potential (85.13).
The area is highly car-friendly (71.31) which is essential given its minimal walkability.
Seldovia
Seldovia ranks 12th with a first-time home buyer score of 16.94.
The town offers good family-friendliness (67.99) and excellent vacation home potential (88.81).
While walkability is limited, Seldovia provides decent transit options (21.40) and moderate car-friendliness (43.01).
The median home price is approximately $175,000, representing one of the more affordable coastal options in Alaska.
Anchor Point Ninilchik
The Anchor Point-Ninilchik area ranks 11th with a first-time home buyer score of 19.21.
These communities offer strong family-friendliness (70.75) and excellent vacation home potential (88.08).
The area is very car-friendly (73.24) which compensates for its limited walkability.
Delta Junction
Delta Junction ranks 10th with a first-time home buyer score of 20.02.
The town offers excellent family-friendliness (77.36) but limited walkability.
It is quite car-friendly (64.73) and offers some transit options (13.89).
Talkeetna
Talkeetna ranks 9th with a first-time home buyer score of 20.57.
This charming town excels in family-friendliness (79.04) and vacation home potential (93.74).
Though walkability is minimal, Talkeetna offers excellent cycling options (73.32) and moderate car-friendliness (57.03).
The median home price is approximately $285,000, reflecting its popularity as a tourist destination near Denali.
Gustavus Hoonah
The Gustavus-Hoonah area ranks 8th with a first-time home buyer score of 22.39.
These communities offer moderate family-friendliness (39.13) and strong vacation potential (80.90).
The median home price is approximately $200,000, reflecting the remote Southeast Alaska location.
Kasilof
Kasilof ranks 7th with a first-time home buyer score of 23.98.
The community offers excellent family-friendliness (74.67) and strong vacation home potential (85.51).
The area is quite car-friendly (69.66) which is important given its minimal walkability.
Some cycling options are available (18.67).
The median home price is approximately $260,000, offering good value for Kenai Peninsula living.
Glennallen
Glennallen ranks 6th with a first-time home buyer score of 27.10.
The town offers strong family-friendliness (58.13) and excellent vacation home potential (87.84).
It is highly car-friendly (80.64) and offers good cycling options (41.44).
Healy Cantwell
The Healy-Cantwell area ranks 5th with a first-time home buyer score of 38.78.
A car is essential with a car-friendly score of 71.51 and minimal walkability.
The median home price is approximately $240,000, attractive for those wanting proximity to Denali National Park.
Naknek King Salmon
The Naknek-King Salmon region ranks 4th with a first-time home buyer score of 39.12.
The area has strong vacation home potential (80.69) and is reasonably car-friendly (67.81).
While not highly walkable, it does offer some transit options with a score of 16.95.
Salcha
Salcha ranks 3rd with an excellent first-time home buyer score of 43.32.
It excels in family-friendliness (75.31) and has exceptional vacation home potential (93.91).
This rural community is extremely car-friendly (90.16) which compensates for its low walkability score.
Valdez Whittier
Valdez-Whittier ranks 2nd with an impressive first-time home buyer score of 49.32.
