Living in Kenai, Alaska
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Kenai · Census data 2020–2024
Kenai has 7,641 residents with a median age of 34.4. The median household income is $87,083 (6% lower than the Alaska median), the median home value is $283,900, the median rent is $1,138/month.
Kenai at a glance
- Population
- 7,641
- Median age
- 34.4State: 35.8
- Median household income
- $87,083State: $92,788
- Median home value
- $283,900State: $352,900
- Median rent
- $1,138/moState: $1,419
- Homeowners
- 70.3%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 28.1%
- Average commute
- 16 min
Is Kenai a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 20% lower than the state median; an average commute of 16 minutes.
Cons: Median household income 6% lower than the Alaska median; unemployment of 7.4%; a poverty rate of 13.2%.
The weather is best in May to August.
Cost of living in Kenai
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Kenai the median home value is $283,900, 15% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $1,138 per month, which is 20.7% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,733 a month in housing costs.
Kenai median household income
The median household income in Kenai is $87,083 and the income per person is $42,891. 13.2% of residents live below the poverty line (Alaska: 10.1%).
Housing in Kenai: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 3,456
- Owner-occupied
- 70.3%
- Renter-occupied
- 29.7%
- Vacant
- 11.7%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1983
- Average household size
- 2.46
Kenai demographics
- Population
- 7,641
- Median age
- 34.4
- Under 18
- 24.6%
- 65 and older
- 12.5%
- Households
- 3,051
- Foreign-born
- 5.1%
- Veterans
- 6.5%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Kenai ›
Education in Kenai
28.1% of adults 25 and older in Kenai have a bachelor's degree or higher (Alaska: 31.7%), and 8.5% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Kenai
- Unemployment rate
- 7.4%State: 5.9%
- Average commute
- 16 minState: 19 min
- Work from home
- 4.9%
- Drive alone
- 70.3%
- Public transit
- 0%
- Walk to work
- 3.5%
- Homes with broadband
- 94.8%
Kenai vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kenai | 7,641 | $87,083 | $283,900 | $1,138 |
| Salamatof | 1,149 | $66,500 | $323,300 | $775 |
| Ridgeway | 1,997 | $90,391 | $303,900 | — |
| Soldotna | 4,485 | $56,280 | $306,000 | $1,020 |
| Kalifornsky | 8,663 | $93,508 | $336,800 | $1,394 |
| Nikiski | 4,773 | $65,863 | $312,600 | $996 |
| Sterling | 6,323 | $102,415 | $353,400 | $1,248 |
| Funny River | 1,081 | $67,656 | $250,000 | — |
| Kasilof | 313 | $63,386 | $445,900 | $1,559 |
More for people moving to Kenai
Kenai ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Kenai: FAQ
What is the median household income in Kenai, AK?
The median household income in Kenai is $87,083, 6% 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 Kenai?
The median home value in Kenai is $283,900, compared with $352,900 in Alaska.
How much is rent in Kenai?
The median gross rent in Kenai is $1,138 per month, about 20.7% of household income.
Is Kenai, AK a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 20% lower than the state median; an average commute of 16 minutes. Minuses: median household income 6% lower than the Alaska median; unemployment of 7.4%; a poverty rate of 13.2%.
What is the median age in Kenai?
The median age in Kenai is 34.4 years (Alaska: 35.8).
How long is the commute in Kenai?
The average commute to work in Kenai is 16 minutes; 4.9% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Kenai?
The unemployment rate in Kenai is 7.4% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Kenai?
28.1% of adults in Kenai 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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