Living in Big Lake, Alaska
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Big Lake · Census data 2020–2024
Big Lake has 3,585 residents with a median age of 38.8. The median household income is $81,406 (12% lower than the Alaska median), the median home value is $298,700, the median rent is $1,235/month.
Big Lake at a glance
- Population
- 3,585
- Median age
- 38.8State: 35.8
- Median household income
- $81,406State: $92,788
- Median home value
- $298,700State: $352,900
- Median rent
- $1,235/moState: $1,419
- Homeowners
- 81.9%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 17.4%
- Average commute
- 43 min
Is Big Lake a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 15% lower than the state median; unemployment of 3.1%.
Cons: Median household income 12% lower than the Alaska median; an average commute of 43 minutes; a poverty rate of 11.4%.
The weather is best in May to August.
Cost of living in Big Lake
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Big Lake the median home value is $298,700, 10% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $1,235 per month, which is 33% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,728 a month in housing costs.
Big Lake median household income
The median household income in Big Lake is $81,406 and the income per person is $43,537. 11.4% of residents live below the poverty line (Alaska: 10.1%).
Housing in Big Lake: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 2,770
- Owner-occupied
- 81.9%
- Renter-occupied
- 18.1%
- Vacant
- 47.3%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1993
- Average household size
- 2.45
47.3% of homes are vacant most of the year, a sign that Big Lake has many vacation and second homes.
Big Lake demographics
- Population
- 3,585
- Median age
- 38.8
- Under 18
- 22.7%
- 65 and older
- 15.6%
- Households
- 1,461
- Foreign-born
- 1.1%
- Veterans
- 12.9%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Big Lake ›
Education in Big Lake
17.4% of adults 25 and older in Big Lake have a bachelor's degree or higher (Alaska: 31.7%), and 4.1% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Big Lake
- Unemployment rate
- 3.1%State: 5.9%
- Average commute
- 43 minState: 19 min
- Work from home
- 22%
- Drive alone
- 63.8%
- Public transit
- 0%
- Walk to work
- 0.7%
- Homes with broadband
- 90.6%
Big Lake vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Big Lake | 3,585 | $81,406 | $298,700 | $1,235 |
| Houston | 1,834 | $73,015 | $295,000 | $887 |
| Knik-Fairview | 19,972 | $96,437 | $340,200 | $1,588 |
| Meadow Lakes | 8,689 | $81,699 | $323,100 | $1,377 |
| Wasilla | 9,720 | $67,234 | $358,400 | $1,153 |
| Tanaina | 9,646 | $105,536 | $328,500 | $1,398 |
| South Lakes | 6,180 | $98,141 | $377,500 | $1,178 |
| North Lakes | 10,223 | $101,679 | $357,600 | $1,441 |
| Gateway | 6,845 | $137,772 | $446,200 | $1,741 |
More for people moving to Big Lake
Big Lake ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Big Lake: FAQ
What is the median household income in Big Lake, AK?
The median household income in Big Lake is $81,406, 12% lower than the Alaska median of $92,788 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
What is the average home price in Big Lake?
The median home value in Big Lake is $298,700, compared with $352,900 in Alaska.
How much is rent in Big Lake?
The median gross rent in Big Lake is $1,235 per month, about 33% of household income.
Is Big Lake, AK a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 15% lower than the state median; unemployment of 3.1%. Minuses: median household income 12% lower than the Alaska median; an average commute of 43 minutes; a poverty rate of 11.4%.
What is the median age in Big Lake?
The median age in Big Lake is 38.8 years (Alaska: 35.8).
How long is the commute in Big Lake?
The average commute to work in Big Lake is 43 minutes; 22% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Big Lake?
The unemployment rate in Big Lake is 3.1% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Big Lake?
17.4% of adults in Big Lake have a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024 (margins of error apply, especially in small towns). Figures are in 2024 dollars.
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