Median Income
$89,038
18% higher than US avg
Home Value
$282,400
0% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+
13.8%
59% lower than US avg
Median Rent
$1,190
2% higher than US avg
Obesity Rate
48.1%
50% higher than US avg
Unemployment
9.3%
158% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate
9.6%
23% lower than US avg
How Utqiaġvik Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)
People
Population4,850
Median Age30.7 yrs
Density258/mi²
Male / Female52% / 49%
Largest GroupWhite 15%
Veterans3.7%
Economy
B+
Median Income$89,038
Per Capita$38,603
Unemployment9.3%
Poverty9.6%
County GDP$8,088M
Commute11 min
Housing
A+
Home Value$282,400
Rent$1,190
Ownership44.3%
Zillow$290,656
Housing Units1,817
Rent Burden18.8%
Health
Obesity48.1%
Uninsured17.7%
Smoking30.2%
Depression20.9%
Heart Disease8.2%
Climate
Avg Temp14°F (-10°C)
Rain5.4 in/yr
Elevation34 ft (10 m)
Education
C
Bachelor's+13.8%
High School+84.9%
Graduate+5.3%
School Score2.63
Community
2024 VoteR 56% / D 44%
Commute11 min
Broadband67.3%
Libraries8
Is Utqiaġvik a Good Place to Live?
Based on current data, Utqiaġvik receives an overall livability score of 3.5 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B+. Key strengths include above-average household incomes. Areas to be aware of include above-average unemployment, a high uninsured rate, high obesity rates. Utqiaġvik offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.
Economy & Jobs
The median household income in Utqiaġvik is $89,038, 18% above the national average of $75,149. Residents generally enjoy above-average earning potential. At 9.3%, unemployment is notably high. 9.6% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 11 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.
Cost of Living & Housing
The median home value in Utqiaġvik is $282,400, roughly aligned with the national median of $281,900. Renters pay a median of $1,190 per month. A price-to-income ratio of 3.2x indicates a reasonably affordable housing market.
Education
13.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 84.9% have completed high school. School test scores average 2.6/10, below typical benchmarks.
Climate & Weather
Utqiaġvik has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 14°F. Winters average -12°F in January while summers reach 42°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 5.4 inches, including 45.8 inches of snow.
Utqiaġvik has a population of 4,850 with a density of 258 people per square mile, spread across 18.8 square miles. The median age is 30.7 years, 21% younger than the national median of 38.9. The gender split is 48.5% female and 51.5% male. The city is predominantly White (15%), with 7.9% Hispanic, 3.8% Black, 8.4% Asian. English is the primary language spoken at home by 52.9% of residents, while 52.2% speak Spanish. 3.7% of the population are veterans, below the national rate of 6.0%. 15.8% of residents have a disability (above the 13.0% national average). 82.3% have health insurance coverage.
Population
4,850
Total Population
2023 Census
30.7yrs
Median Age
21% below US avg
Race & Ethnicity
Utqiaġvik vs U.S. Average
Language Spoken at Home
English Only
52.9%
33% below US avg
Spanish
52.2%
290% above US avg
Social Characteristics
Utqiaġvik vs U.S. Average
The median household income in Utqiaġvik is $89,038, which is 18% above the national average of $75,149. Per capita income is $38,603. The average weekly wage is $2,472, 73% higher than the U.S. average. The unemployment rate is 9.3% (above the 3.6% US average). 9.6% of residents live below the poverty line, lower than the national rate of 12.4%. The area has 225 business establishments, including 21 restaurants. The cost of living index is 102.4, roughly in line with the national average. Workers commute an average of 11 minutes (shorter than the 28-minute US average). 7.4% of workers work from home (below the 15.2% national rate).
Income: Utqiaġvik vs U.S.
Income
| Median HH Income | $89,038 |
| 18% above US avg |
| Per Capita Income | $38,603 |
| Avg Weekly Wage | $2,472 |
| IRS Avg AGI | $65,561 |
| Gini Index | 0.443 (0=equal, 1=unequal) |
Employment & Poverty
| Unemployment | 9.3% |
| 158% above US avg |
| Poverty Rate | 9.6% |
| 23% below US avg |
| Establishments (County) | 225 |
| County GDP | $8,088M |
Business (County)
| Restaurants | 21 |
| Healthcare | 8 |
| Retail | 18 |
Tax & Cost of Living
| Property Tax (IRS) | $6,233 |
| 78% above US avg |
| Cost of Living | 102.40 (100=avg) |
| Effective Tax Rate | 2.21% |
Commute & Transportation
| Commute Time | 11.3 min |
| Drive Alone | 39.2% |
| Public Transit | 0.6% |
| Work from Home | 7.4% |
The median home value in Utqiaġvik is $282,400, 0% below the national median of $281,900. Zillow estimates the typical home value at $290,656. Monthly rent averages $1,190 (2% above the national average of $1,163). Fair market rent ranges from $1,194 for a one-bedroom to $1,467 for a two-bedroom apartment. 44.3% of housing units are owner-occupied (below the 65.4% national rate). There are 1,817 total housing units in the city. The median year a home was built is 1984. The average annual property tax is $6,233 (higher than the $3,500 national average). 18.8% of renters spend 30% or more of their income on housing. The home price-to-income ratio is 3.2x.
Home Values
| Census Median | $282,400 |
| 0% below US avg |
| Zillow ZHVI | $290,656 |
Rental Costs
| Census Median Rent | $1,190 |
| 2% above US avg |
| Rent Burden | 18.8% |
HUD Fair Market Rent
| Studio | $1,061 |
| 1 Bedroom | $1,194 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $1,467 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $1,941 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $2,304 |
Ownership & Property
| Homeownership | 44.3% |
| Owner-Occupied | 44.3% |
| Renter-Occupied | 55.7% |
| Housing Units | 1,817 |
| Median Year Built | 1984 |
Property Tax
| Avg Tax (IRS) | $6,233 |
| 78% above US avg |
| Effective Rate | 2.21% |
In Utqiaġvik, 48.1% of adults are obese, above the national rate of 32.1%. 15.1% have diabetes (above the 10.5% national rate). Heart disease affects 8.2% of residents, above the national average. 39.4% have high blood pressure. 30.2% are current smokers (above the 14.0% national rate). 17.2% report binge drinking. 32.2% are physically inactive, above the national average. 20.9% report depression. 20.9% experience frequent mental distress. 17.7% of residents lack health insurance (above the 8.6% national rate). The primary care physician ratio is 1:2,743. The dentist ratio is 1:1,544. 6.7% of residents have access to exercise opportunities. The food environment index is 7.9 out of 10.
Health Metrics: Utqiaġvik vs U.S. Average (%)
Chronic Conditions
| Obesity | 48.1% |
| 50% above US avg |
| Diabetes | 15.1% |
| Heart Disease | 8.2% |
| High Blood Pressure | 39.4% |
| Asthma | 13.4% |
| COPD | 9.1% |
| Cancer | 5.7% |
| Stroke | 4.9% |
Behaviors & Mental Health
| Smoking | 30.2% |
| 116% above US avg |
| Binge Drinking | 17.2% |
| Physical Inactivity | 32.2% |
| Depression | 20.9% |
| Mental Distress | 20.9% |
| Physical Distress | 19.4% |
| Short Sleep | 42.7% |
Healthcare Access
| Insurance Rate | 82.3% |
| Uninsured | 17.7% |
| 106% above US avg |
| Primary Care | 1:2,743 |
| Dentists | 1:1,544 |
| Mental Health | 1:1,060 |
| Checkup Rate | 66.2% |
| Dental Visits | 43.4% |
| Premature Death | 9,617/100K |
Food & Exercise
| Food Environment | 7.9/10 |
| Exercise Access | 6.7% |
| Healthcare Facilities | 8 |
Utqiaġvik has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 14°F (-10°C). Winters average -12°F in January while summers reach 42°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 5.4 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 45.8 inches of snow annually, making winter weather a significant factor for residents. The city sits at an elevation of 34 feet, near sea level.
Temperature
-12°F Jan (-24°C)
42°F Jul (5°C)
| Annual Average | 13.7°F |
| 75% below US avg |
| January Average | -12°F (-24°C) |
| July Average | 42°F (5°C) |
Geography
| Elevation | 34 ft (10 m) |
| Area | 18.8 sq mi (48.6 km²) |
| Population Density | 258/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 71.2539°N, 156.7982°W |
| Timezone | America/Anchorage |
| County | North Slope Borough County |
| Nearest Airport | Fairbanks International (FAI)
500 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Annual Rainfall
5.4"
86% below US avg
Wettest Month (Aug)
1.09"
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 14.8 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 58.9 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 3.2 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado |
Very Low |
| Earthquake |
Very Low |
| Wildfire |
Very Low |
| Flood |
Very Low |
| Hail |
No Rating |
| Strong Wind |
No Rating |
| Winter Weather |
Relatively Moderate |
| Lightning |
Very Low |
| Ice Storm |
Very Low |
| Drought |
No Rating |
| Cold Wave |
Relatively Moderate |
| Landslide |
Very Low |
| Coastal Flood |
No Rating |
| Avalanche |
Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
9 earthquakes (M2.5+) within 150 km since 1990.
Strongest: M3.5. Most recent: M2.9 on Feb 17, 2025.
| Aug 13, 2014 |
20 km SSW of Barrow, Alaska |
M3.5 |
16 km |
| Mar 28, 2008 |
54 km NNW of Wainwright, Alaska |
M3.4 |
129 km |
| Apr 27, 1991 |
72 km SE of Atqasuk, Alaska |
M3.2 |
143 km |
| Feb 14, 2010 |
39 km WNW of Barrow, Alaska |
M3.0 |
42 km |
| Mar 27, 2008 |
50 km NNW of Wainwright, Alaska |
M2.9 |
133 km |
| Feb 17, 2025 |
104 km NW of Barrow, Alaska |
M2.9 |
107 km |
| Oct 26, 2013 |
22 km NNW of Barrow, Alaska |
M2.8 |
27 km |
| Mar 28, 2008 |
16 km NNE of Wainwright, Alaska |
M2.6 |
123 km |
| Mar 28, 2008 |
32 km NNW of Wainwright, Alaska |
M2.5 |
140 km |
Source: USGS (M2.5+, 1990-2025)
Monthly Weather
| Month |
Avg Temperature |
Precipitation |
Summary |
| January |
-12°F (-24°C) |
0.1 in |
Driest |
| February |
-12°F (-24°C) |
0.2 in |
Coldest |
| March |
-11°F (-24°C) |
0.2 in |
|
| April |
4°F (-16°C) |
0.2 in |
|
| May |
23°F (-5°C) |
0.3 in |
|
| June |
36°F (2°C) |
0.4 in |
|
| July |
42°F (5°C) |
1.0 in |
Warmest |
| August |
40°F (4°C) |
1.1 in |
Wettest |
| September |
34°F (1°C) |
0.8 in |
|
| October |
21°F (-6°C) |
0.5 in |
|
| November |
6°F (-15°C) |
0.4 in |
|
| December |
-6°F (-21°C) |
0.2 in |
|
Utqiaġvik has a seasonal temperature swing of 54°F / from -12°F in February to 42°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 5.4 inches, with August being the wettest month (1.1") and January the driest (0.1").
Average costs for common services in Utqiaġvik. Prices are estimated based on regional cost of living data and may vary by provider.
Healthcare
| Doctor Visit (Primary Care) |
$256 ($154-$410) |
| Specialist Visit |
$358 ($205-$563) |
| Urgent Care Visit |
$205 ($102-$358) |
| Emergency Room Visit |
$2,253 ($819-$5,120) |
| Dental Cleaning |
$133 ($77-$205) |
| Dental Filling |
$256 ($154-$410) |
View all 40 services
Auto Repair
| Oil Change (Conventional) |
$46 ($26-$77) |
| Oil Change (Synthetic) |
$77 ($51-$123) |
| Brake Pad Replacement |
$307 ($154-$512) |
| Tire Rotation |
$41 ($20-$77) |
| New Tires (Set of 4) |
$614 ($410-$1,024) |
| Battery Replacement |
$205 ($102-$358) |
View all 18 services
Home Services
| Plumber (Per Hour) |
$102 ($61-$154) |
| Electrician (Per Hour) |
$92 ($51-$143) |
| HVAC Repair |
$410 ($154-$819) |
| HVAC System Install |
$7,168 ($4,096-$12,288) |
| Roof Repair |
$1,024 ($410-$2,048) |
| Roof Replacement |
$9,216 ($5,632-$15,360) |
View all 25 services
Legal
| Divorce (Uncontested) |
$1,536 ($512-$3,584) |
| Divorce (Contested) |
$15,360 ($5,120-$30,720) |
| DUI Defense |
$5,120 ($2,048-$10,240) |
| Bankruptcy (Chapter 7) |
$1,536 ($819-$3,072) |
| Will Preparation |
$512 ($205-$1,024) |
| Trust Preparation |
$2,560 ($1,024-$5,120) |
View all 12 services
Personal Care
| Men's Haircut |
$26 ($15-$46) |
| Women's Haircut |
$56 ($31-$102) |
| Hair Coloring (Full) |
$154 ($77-$256) |
| Manicure |
$26 ($15-$46) |
| Pedicure |
$41 ($26-$67) |
| Massage (1 Hour) |
$82 ($51-$133) |
View all 12 services
Food & Grocery
| Gallon of Milk (per gallon) |
$4.20 ($3.07-$5.63) |
| Dozen Eggs (per dozen) |
$3.58 ($2.56-$5.12) |
| Loaf of Bread |
$3.89 ($2.56-$5.63) |
| Chicken Breast (per lb) |
$4.61 ($3.07-$6.66) |
| Ground Beef (per lb) |
$5.63 ($4.10-$7.68) |
| Rice (per lb) |
$1.02 ($0.61-$1.84) |
View all 20 services
Utilities
| Electricity (Monthly) |
$143 ($82-$256) |
| Natural Gas (Monthly) |
$72 ($31-$154) |
| Water/Sewer (Monthly) |
$72 ($41-$123) |
| Internet (Monthly) |
$72 ($41-$102) |
| Cell Phone Plan (Monthly) |
$67 ($31-$102) |
| Cable TV (Monthly) |
$87 ($51-$154) |
View all 8 services
Transportation
| Monthly Parking (Downtown) |
$205 ($77-$512) |
| Car Insurance (Annual) |
$2,048 ($1,229-$3,584) |
| Bus Pass (Monthly) |
$72 ($31-$133) |
| Taxi/Uber (5-Mile Ride) |
$15 ($8.19-$26) |
| Car Registration (Annual) |
$102 ($31-$256) |
| Driver's License Renewal |
$31 ($15-$77) |
View all 8 services
Education & Childcare
| Daycare (Infant, Monthly) |
$1,229 ($614-$2,560) |
| Daycare (Toddler, Monthly) |
$1,024 ($512-$2,048) |
| After-School Care (Monthly) |
$410 ($205-$717) |
| Tutoring (Per Hour) |
$51 ($26-$102) |
| SAT/ACT Prep Course |
$1,024 ($410-$2,560) |
| Private School (K-12, Annual) |
$12,800 ($5,120-$30,720) |
View all 8 services
Pets
| Vet Visit (Routine Checkup) |
$61 ($31-$102) |
| Dog Vaccination (Annual) |
$102 ($51-$205) |
| Dog Grooming |
$61 ($31-$102) |
| Pet Boarding (Per Night) |
$41 ($20-$77) |
| Dog Spay/Neuter |
$307 ($154-$512) |
| Cat Spay/Neuter |
$205 ($102-$410) |
View all 9 services
Frequently Asked Questions About Utqiaġvik
What is the population of Utqiaġvik?
Utqiaġvik has a population of 4,850 residents and is located in Alaska. The population density is 258 people per square mile, spread across 18.8 square miles. The median age of residents is 30.7 years, which is younger than the national median of 38.9 years. The population is 48.5% female and 51.5% male.
Is Utqiaġvik expensive to live in?
Utqiaġvik has a cost of living roughly in line with the national average, with an index of 102.4 (baseline: 100). The median household income is $89,038, 18% above the national average of $75,149. The median home value is $282,400 (0% below the U.S. median). Renters pay a median of $1,190 per month. The home price-to-income ratio is 3.2x, indicating housing is reasonably affordable relative to local income levels.
What is the weather like in Utqiaġvik?
Utqiaġvik has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 14°F (-10°C). Winter temperatures average -12°F in January, while summers reach an average of 42°F in July. Annual rainfall totals 5.4 inches, with 45.8 inches of snow.
How is the job market in Utqiaġvik?
The job market in Utqiaġvik faces challenges, with unemployment at 9.3% / significantly above the national rate of 3.6%. The average weekly wage is $2,472. There are 225 business establishments in the area, including 21 restaurants and food service locations. The average commute time is 11 minutes, and 7.4% of workers work from home.
How much does housing cost in Utqiaġvik?
The median home value in Utqiaġvik is $282,400. Zillow estimates the typical home value at $290,656. For renters, the median monthly rent is $1,190. Fair market rent is $1,194 for a 1-bedroom and $1,467 for a 2-bedroom apartment. The homeownership rate is 44.3%. The average annual property tax is $6,233.
How are the schools in Utqiaġvik?
Schools in Utqiaġvik have an average test score of 2.6 out of 10, below typical national benchmarks. Families may want to research individual school ratings. 13.8% of adults in Utqiaġvik hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national average of 33.7%. 84.9% have completed high school. 5.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.
How healthy is Utqiaġvik?
The obesity rate in Utqiaġvik is 48.1% (above the national rate of 32.1%). 30.2% of adults are smokers. 32.2% are physically inactive. 20.9% of residents report depression. 17.7% lack health insurance (above the national rate). 6.7% of residents have access to exercise opportunities. The primary care physician ratio is 1:2,743.
What is transportation like in Utqiaġvik?
The average commute in Utqiaġvik is 11 minutes, shorter than the national average of 28 minutes. 39.2% of workers drive alone to work, and 7.4% work from home.
What are the demographics of Utqiaġvik?
The racial and ethnic makeup of Utqiaġvik is 15% White, 3.8% Black or African American, 7.9% Hispanic or Latino, 8.4% Asian. 52.9% of residents speak only English at home, while 52.2% speak Spanish. 3.7% of the population are military veterans. 15.8% of residents have a disability. 82.3% have health insurance coverage.