Bristol Bay scores 74.1 out of 100, nearly 50% higher than the national median of 50.0 and well above Alaska's 67.6 average. It ranks in the top tier of U.S. counties on the CountyScore index.
2 / 5
Best-in-state livability rankings
Bristol Bay ranks second among all Alaska counties at 74.1, trailing only one other area. It represents the upper echelon of livability in the state, with balanced strengths across multiple dimensions.
3 / 5
Exceptional tax and risk management profiles
Bristol Bay offers the state's lowest effective tax rate at 0.717% (tax score: 82.1) and an exceptional risk score of 98.8—the highest in this dataset. Combined with solid cost affordability (72.1) and median income of $100,625, it delivers rare balance.
4 / 5
Income potential remains modest
Despite strong overall livability, the income score of 49.1 is the relative weak point, suggesting limited high-earning opportunities compared to some peer areas. This doesn't undermine the borough's overall appeal but reflects its resource-based economy.
5 / 5
Ideal for balanced, tax-conscious Alaskans
Bristol Bay suits families and professionals seeking the best overall livability balance in Alaska—low taxes, affordable housing, solid health, and excellent safety. It's perfect for those who don't need maximum income but want comprehensive livability and security.
Bristol Bay scores 74.1 out of 100, nearly 50% higher than the national median of 50.0 and well above Alaska's 67.6 average. It ranks in the top tier of U.S. counties on the CountyScore index.
Best-in-state livability rankings
Bristol Bay ranks second among all Alaska counties at 74.1, trailing only one other area. It represents the upper echelon of livability in the state, with balanced strengths across multiple dimensions.
Exceptional tax and risk management profiles
Bristol Bay offers the state's lowest effective tax rate at 0.717% (tax score: 82.1) and an exceptional risk score of 98.8—the highest in this dataset. Combined with solid cost affordability (72.1) and median income of $100,625, it delivers rare balance.
Income potential remains modest
Despite strong overall livability, the income score of 49.1 is the relative weak point, suggesting limited high-earning opportunities compared to some peer areas. This doesn't undermine the borough's overall appeal but reflects its resource-based economy.
Ideal for balanced, tax-conscious Alaskans
Bristol Bay suits families and professionals seeking the best overall livability balance in Alaska—low taxes, affordable housing, solid health, and excellent safety. It's perfect for those who don't need maximum income but want comprehensive livability and security.
Score breakdown
5 dimensions have live data. 3 more coming as vertical sites launch.
🏛82.1
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
Bristol Bay Borough's 0.717% effective tax rate sits below Alaska's 0.772% state average and the national median of 0.772%. At $1,933 in median annual property taxes, it runs 28% below the national median of $2,690, making it notably tax-friendly.
Lower-middle tax burden in Alaska
Bristol Bay ranks among Alaska's lighter-taxed jurisdictions at 0.717%, substantially below the state average of 0.772%. Its median annual tax of $1,933 is the second-lowest among Alaska's documented regions.
Lower rate than Chugach, similar to Aleutians West
Bristol Bay's 0.717% rate falls between Aleutians West's 0.708% and Chugach's 0.917%, offering moderate relief compared to interior Alaska regions. The median home value of $269,800 positions Bristol Bay as an affordable area with reasonable tax exposure.
Bristol Bay keeps taxes under $2,000
A median Bristol Bay home valued at $269,800 generates approximately $1,933 in annual property taxes—$3,125 with mortgage and $1,545 without. This is the lowest documented median tax in Alaska, saving homeowners $757 annually versus the national median.
Even lower taxes with assessment review
Bristol Bay homeowners already enjoy some of Alaska's lowest taxes, but an assessment appeal could reduce bills further if your home is overvalued. Even modest overassessment challenges pay off in this tax-favorable region.
Renters spend just 15.7% of income on housing, well below Alaska's 18.6% state average and comfortably under the national affordability threshold of 30%. With a median household income of $100,625, Bristol Bay offers among Alaska's strongest income-to-housing ratios.
Best Affordability in Alaska
Bristol Bay's 15.7% rent-to-income ratio ranks as Alaska's most affordable rental market, beating the state average by nearly 3 percentage points. This remote borough proves that geographic isolation doesn't automatically mean unaffordable housing.
Outpacing Remote Alternatives
Bristol Bay's median rent of $1,318 undercuts Bethel ($1,454) and Aleutians West ($1,886) while serving a comparable or higher median income. Home values of $269,800 position Bristol Bay as the most economically balanced remote area in Alaska.
Income-Friendly Housing Market
Renters dedicate just $1,318 monthly to a $100,625 annual income—only 15.7% of earnings—while homeowners spend $795 monthly on properties averaging $269,800. Bristol Bay delivers what's rare in Alaska: strong income alongside reasonable housing costs.
Bristol Bay: Consider for Relocation
If moving to remote Alaska appeals, Bristol Bay balances affordability with solid incomes better than nearly any competitor. Its 15.7% rent-to-income ratio and $1,318 median rent make it worth serious consideration against Anchorage and other urban alternatives.
Bristol Bay Borough's median household income of $100,625 surpasses the national median of $74,755 by 35 percent, ranking among America's highest-earning regions. The borough's world-class salmon fisheries and seasonal employment opportunities drive these premium wages.
Alaska's Third-Highest Income Region
Bristol Bay Borough ranks among Alaska's elite income earners with a median household income of $100,625, exceeding the state average of $79,407 by 27 percent. Only Aleutians West and select other resource-rich regions match this earning power.
Fishing Industry Drives Premium Wages
Bristol Bay's $100,625 median significantly outearns neighboring Bethel Census Area ($70,616) and most other rural Alaskan regions, rivaling Anchorage ($98,152). The borough's concentrated salmon fishery creates high-wage seasonal employment opportunities unavailable elsewhere.
Best Housing Affordability in State
Bristol Bay Borough achieves the lowest rent-to-income ratio among all eight counties at just 15.7 percent, indicating excellent housing affordability. With a median home value of $269,800 and strong household earnings, residents enjoy robust financial stability.
Maximize Seasonal Income Through Planning
Bristol Bay residents earning $100,625 should strategically manage the sector's seasonality by setting aside earnings during peak fishing months for year-round living expenses and investments. This disciplined approach converts volatile seasonal income into consistent wealth accumulation.
While life expectancy data is unavailable, Bristol Bay's 16.5% poor/fair health rate sits near the national average of 17.5%, suggesting moderate health challenges. The 16.9% uninsured rate leaves roughly 1 in 6 residents without coverage in this fishing-dependent region.
Below-average uninsured rate masks gaps
Bristol Bay's 16.9% uninsured rate exceeds Alaska's 15.9% average, though the difference is modest. Limited provider data and geographic remoteness likely create access barriers despite relatively comparable insurance enrollment.
Provider data sparse, access unclear
Primary care and mental health provider counts remain unreported for Bristol Bay, reflecting the challenges of measuring healthcare capacity in Alaska's most remote regions. These data gaps themselves signal the infrastructure struggles affecting the community.
Remote location compounds access barriers
With 16.9% uninsured and limited recorded provider data, Bristol Bay residents likely experience significant delays accessing routine and emergency care. The seasonal fishing economy may create income volatility that complicates sustained health insurance enrollment.
Secure coverage despite seasonal work
If fishing or seasonal income makes coverage difficult, explore Alaska's Medicaid options—your income can fluctuate while staying covered. Contact the Bristol Bay health clinic or call 1-800-318-2596 to discuss plans that flex with your work schedule.
Bristol Bay Borough's composite score of just 1.21 ranks among the lowest-risk counties nationwide, earning a Very Low rating. This extremely safe profile reflects minimal exposure across flood, wildfire, and tornado hazards despite modest earthquake potential.
Safest community in Alaska by far
At 1.21, Bristol Bay Borough scores dramatically lower than Alaska's 35.22 state average and is the state's safest county by a wide margin. No other Alaskan community approaches this level of natural disaster protection.
Dramatically safer than regional peers
Bristol Bay Borough at 1.21 is roughly 37 times safer than Bethel Census Area (44.31) and 73 times safer than Anchorage Municipality (97.39). Its unique geographic and climatic position creates exceptional hazard protection compared to all Alaskan neighbors.
Only earthquake poses real threat
Earthquake risk at 71.91 is Bristol Bay's sole significant hazard, while wildfire (34.22) remains moderate and flood, tornado risks near zero. The borough's remarkable overall safety stems entirely from minimal exposure to weather-related disasters.
Earthquake insurance covers the exposure
Even in Alaska's safest borough, earthquake risk at 71.91 warrants dedicated seismic coverage since standard homeowners insurance excludes it. This single policy addresses virtually all meaningful natural disaster risk in Bristol Bay.