Living in Ester, Alaska
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Ester · Census data 2020–2024
Ester has 2,752 residents with a median age of 38. The median household income is $53,272 (43% lower than the Alaska median), the median home value is $255,400, the median rent is $1,208/month.
Ester at a glance
- Population
- 2,752
- Median age
- 38State: 35.8
- Median household income
- $53,272State: $92,788
- Median home value
- $255,400State: $352,900
- Median rent
- $1,208/moState: $1,419
- Homeowners
- 55.6%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 50.5%
- Average commute
- 21 min
Is Ester a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 28% lower than the state median; unemployment of 5.5%.
Cons: Median household income 43% lower than the Alaska median; an average commute of 21 minutes; a poverty rate of 11.9%.
The weather is best in May to August.
Cost of living in Ester
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Ester the median home value is $255,400, 23% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $1,208 per month, which is 21.5% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $2,125 a month in housing costs.
Ester median household income
The median household income in Ester is $53,272 and the income per person is $41,460. 11.9% of residents live below the poverty line (Alaska: 10.1%).
Housing in Ester: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 1,556
- Owner-occupied
- 55.6%
- Renter-occupied
- 44.4%
- Vacant
- 10.9%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1993
- Average household size
- 1.87
Ester demographics
- Population
- 2,752
- Median age
- 38
- Under 18
- 13.1%
- 65 and older
- 13%
- Households
- 1,386
- Foreign-born
- 6.4%
- Veterans
- 15%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Ester ›
Education in Ester
50.5% of adults 25 and older in Ester have a bachelor's degree or higher (Alaska: 31.7%), and 21.1% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Ester
- Unemployment rate
- 5.5%State: 5.9%
- Average commute
- 21 minState: 19 min
- Work from home
- 9.7%
- Drive alone
- 83.5%
- Public transit
- 0%
- Walk to work
- 0.1%
- Homes with broadband
- 83.3%
Ester vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ester | 2,752 | $53,272 | $255,400 | $1,208 |
| Goldstream | 3,294 | $103,589 | $289,600 | $847 |
| Chena Ridge | 5,881 | $133,775 | $395,500 | $1,110 |
| College | 11,924 | $83,895 | $297,500 | $1,454 |
| South Van Horn | 572 | $73,214 | $41,500 | — |
| Farmers Loop | 4,954 | $109,950 | $279,800 | $1,406 |
| Fairbanks | 32,083 | $73,534 | $268,400 | $1,496 |
More for people moving to Ester
Ester ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Ester: FAQ
What is the median household income in Ester, AK?
The median household income in Ester is $53,272, 43% 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 Ester?
The median home value in Ester is $255,400, compared with $352,900 in Alaska.
How much is rent in Ester?
The median gross rent in Ester is $1,208 per month, about 21.5% of household income.
Is Ester, AK a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 28% lower than the state median; unemployment of 5.5%. Minuses: median household income 43% lower than the Alaska median; an average commute of 21 minutes; a poverty rate of 11.9%.
What is the median age in Ester?
The median age in Ester is 38 years (Alaska: 35.8).
How long is the commute in Ester?
The average commute to work in Ester is 21 minutes; 9.7% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Ester?
The unemployment rate in Ester is 5.5% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Ester?
50.5% of adults in Ester 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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