Living in Palmer, Alaska
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Palmer · Census data 2020–2024
Palmer has 6,268 residents with a median age of 32.9. The median household income is $72,201 (22% lower than the Alaska median), the median home value is $294,900, the median rent is $1,125/month.
Palmer at a glance
- Population
- 6,268
- Median age
- 32.9State: 35.8
- Median household income
- $72,201State: $92,788
- Median home value
- $294,900State: $352,900
- Median rent
- $1,125/moState: $1,419
- Homeowners
- 63.1%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 24.5%
- Average commute
- 27 min
Is Palmer a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 16% lower than the state median.
Cons: Median household income 22% lower than the Alaska median; an average commute of 27 minutes; unemployment of 6.9%; a poverty rate of 13%.
The weather is best in May to August.
Cost of living in Palmer
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Palmer the median home value is $294,900, 11% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $1,125 per month, which is 32.2% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,678 a month in housing costs.
Palmer median household income
The median household income in Palmer is $72,201 and the income per person is $37,718. 13% of residents live below the poverty line (Alaska: 10.1%).
Housing in Palmer: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 2,498
- Owner-occupied
- 63.1%
- Renter-occupied
- 36.9%
- Vacant
- 7.5%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1990
- Average household size
- 2.58
Palmer demographics
- Population
- 6,268
- Median age
- 32.9
- Under 18
- 21.5%
- 65 and older
- 15.7%
- Households
- 2,310
- Foreign-born
- 3.3%
- Veterans
- 11.1%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Palmer ›
Education in Palmer
24.5% of adults 25 and older in Palmer have a bachelor's degree or higher (Alaska: 31.7%), and 7.8% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Palmer
- Unemployment rate
- 6.9%State: 5.9%
- Average commute
- 27 minState: 19 min
- Work from home
- 8.6%
- Drive alone
- 73.7%
- Public transit
- 0.4%
- Walk to work
- 4.3%
- Homes with broadband
- 91.6%
Palmer vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Palmer | 6,268 | $72,201 | $294,900 | $1,125 |
| Farm Loop | 2,894 | $119,375 | $431,300 | $1,991 |
| Gateway | 6,845 | $137,772 | $446,200 | $1,741 |
| Buffalo Soapstone | 739 | $68,750 | $289,300 | $791 |
| Butte | 4,085 | $101,042 | $374,600 | $1,610 |
| North Lakes | 10,223 | $101,679 | $357,600 | $1,441 |
| South Lakes | 6,180 | $98,141 | $377,500 | $1,178 |
| Lazy Mountain | 1,459 | $101,667 | $352,800 | $980 |
| Knik River | 883 | $109,464 | $304,400 | $1,375 |
More for people moving to Palmer
Palmer ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Palmer: FAQ
What is the median household income in Palmer, AK?
The median household income in Palmer is $72,201, 22% 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 Palmer?
The median home value in Palmer is $294,900, compared with $352,900 in Alaska.
How much is rent in Palmer?
The median gross rent in Palmer is $1,125 per month, about 32.2% of household income.
Is Palmer, AK a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 16% lower than the state median. Minuses: median household income 22% lower than the Alaska median; an average commute of 27 minutes; unemployment of 6.9%; a poverty rate of 13%.
What is the median age in Palmer?
The median age in Palmer is 32.9 years (Alaska: 35.8).
How long is the commute in Palmer?
The average commute to work in Palmer is 27 minutes; 8.6% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Palmer?
The unemployment rate in Palmer is 6.9% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Palmer?
24.5% of adults in Palmer 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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