Real Estate Blog

Anchorage, AK, is a one-of-a-kind city with stunning mountain and water views. There are countless things to do in the city whether you spend time hiking through Denali National Park and Preserve and along the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail and the Flattop Mountain Trail, or check out the Anchorage Museum. No wonder 288,100 people are living in Anchorage. 

If you’re looking to buy a home in Anchorage, expect to see the median home sale price coming in at $380,000. And if you’re looking to rent an apartment, the average rent in Anchorage is $1,987. 

But if you’re looking for something a little more remote – we’ve got options to help you find the right area. Redfin has rounded up a list of the 5 best Anchorage suburbs to consider living in – and they’re all under a 51 mile drive from the city. Let’s check out the towns that made the list.

aerial view of downtown anchorage alaska_Shutterstock

#1: Knik-Fairview

Median home price: $344,450 
Average sale price per square foot: $230
Average rent for an apartment: $1,840
Distance from Anchorage: 51 miles
Knik-Fairview, AK homes for sale 
Knik-Fairview, AK apartments for rent 

With a median home sale price of $344,450, Knik-Fairview is the first Anchorage suburb on our list. Just about a 51 mile drive away from Anchorage, you won’t miss out on what the city has to offer. If you’re considering moving to this area make sure to take in the views at Settlers Bay Coastal Park, explore the Palmer Hay Flats State Game Refuge, and golf at Settlers Bay Golf Course.

#2: Wasilla

Median home price: $344,450 
Average sale price per square foot: $241 
Distance from Anchorage: 44 miles
Wasilla, AK homes for sale
Wasilla, AK apartments for rent 

The second Anchorage suburb to make our list is Wasilla. About 9,100 people live in this Anchorage suburb, where you can visit the The Iditarod Museum, check out Lake Lucille, and explore the downtown Wasilla area with its shops and restaurants.

Welcome to Alaska sign

#3: Tanaina

Median home price: $353,950 
Average sale price per square foot: $232 
Distance from Anchorage: 48 miles
Tanaina, AK homes for sale
Tanaina, AK apartments for rent 

Taking the third spot on our list is Tanaina, with a median home sale price of $353,950. From parks to outdoor recreation, there’s lots of things that make Tanaina a great place to live. Make sure to check out Memory Lake and enjoy the scenery, and play a round of golf at Sleepy Hollow Golf if you move to Tanaina. 

#4: Meadow Lakes

Median home price: $390,000 
Average sale price per square foot: $233 
Distance from Anchorage: 50 miles
Meadow Lakes, AK homes for sale 
Meadow Lakes, AK apartments for rent 

A little more expensive than Tanaina is Meadow Lakes, home to about 9,200 people. About 50 miles from the city center, you can spend time exploring Denali National Park in no time. In Meadow Lakes, you can hike the Baldy Trailhead, check out the quaint local cafes, and visit the Museum of Alaska Transportation just outside of town.

#5: Lakes

Median home price: $390,500 
Average sale price per square foot: $202 
Distance from Anchorage: 44 miles
Lakes, AK homes for sale
Lakes, AK apartments for rent

About 44 miles away from downtown Anchorage is Lakes, the final suburb on our list. With 8,400 people living in this town, Lakes is a great option to consider moving to this year. In Lakes, you can fish, camp, and birdwatch at Finger Lake State Recreation Site.

Methodology: Whether a suburb was under a 51-mile drive from downtown Anchorage. Median home sale price data and average rent price from the Redfin Data Center during December 2023. Population data sourced from the United States Census Bureau.

This post first appeared on Redfin.com. To see the original, click here.