Side-by-side comparison of mortgage costs, property taxes, closing costs, and homeowners insurance between Alaska and California. Updated for 2026.
Metric
Alaska
California
Median Home Price
$350K
$785K
Property Tax Rate
1.19%
0.73%
Avg Closing Costs
$6K
$9K
Closing Cost %
1.8%
1.2%
Transfer Tax
None
0.11%
Homeowners Insurance
$1,400/yr
$2,200/yr
First-Time Buyer Program
AHFC First-Time Homebuyer
Tax-exempt mortgage bonds
CalHFA Dream For All
Up to 20% shared appreciation loan
Verdict
Alaska wins 4 of 6 cost categories, making it the more affordable state for homebuyers overall. With a median home price of $350K and lower overall costs, Alaska offers meaningful savings compared to California. Both states offer first-time buyer programs — explore the state pages for full details.