I have heard people say that you can actually live and earn money in Alaska for free. Unfortunately, it’s not true, but you can get paid to live there. The question now is ‘How Much’
Alaska by land is one of the largest states in the United States that is known for its breathtaking beautiful places. Because it’s the largest, its cost of living is the highest. Hence, the question “do you get paid to live in Alaska?”
Well, the state government through the state’s oil royalties pays the citizens dividend to help them live up to the high cost of living.
Statistically, more than $21 billion (£15.7 billion) has been paid to the people of Alaska since 1982.
In 2018 out of 736,239 applications that were received, 670,759 were accepted, and 639,247 people were paid. The total dividend was $1,600.00, and the total disbursed amount was over $1 billion.
So, if you’re planning to live in Alaska permanently, you could start getting checks every year. All you need to do is to make up the criteria.
Reading this post will help give you insight into what you are expected to do and how much you should expect.
Table of contents
About Alaska
Alaska is a state located in the northwest extremity of the United States West Coast. It is known as America’s last frontier and one of the most wildly popular tourist destinations in the world.
The state has beautiful and fantastic places that can anyone will love. With its snowy mountains, cold temperatures, dense forests, and vast tundras, Alaska’s terrain attracts a rather hardy, adventure-seeking crowd.
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Is Living in Alaska Expensive?
Although the cost of living in Alaska varies a lot, they generally consider it high. This results from some basic factors such as:
- The cost of Rent
- Utility Cost
- Feeding Cost
- Transportation
The cost of Rent
Generally, the amount of money needed to live in Alaska largely depends on which type of Alaskan lifestyle you choose.
According to Numbeo.com, getting an apartment in any of the largest cities like Anchorage is $1216 a month. Meanwhile, to get a house in a small town like Kenai is $837 a month. You can see that the area you choose to live in matters a lot.
Cost of Utility
Utility cost in Alaska is generally high, especially during winter. Although there is a difference in some cities and towns, the difference is not much.
Costs of Feeding
No man can do without food. So, feeding is among the most essential need that must be satisfied.
In Alaska, those in the rural area spend more on food than those in the cities.
This is because moving food to rural areas expensive, and this cost gets passed to the end consumers. Also, the state’s climate is not conducive to growing most foods locally.
Transportation Costs
This is another cost that depends on location. Hence, if you don’t have your personal car in Alaska, you will spend a lot on transportation.
As a general rule, auto insurance is very affordable in Alaska, while gas is more expensive.
Public transportation is very limited, even in Alaska’s largest and most cosmopolitan city, Anchorage.
Fewer Job Opportunities
Unemployed job seekers face several challenges in Alaska. Because the state is so small in population, jobs are few, though you also have less competition for employment. Also, the state caps weekly unemployment benefits at $370.
No matter how frugal you are or how well you budget, that is not enough money to sustain even a bare-bones lifestyle in Alaska.
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Why do you get paid to live in Alaska?
The government of Alaska pays residents because they want them to meet up with the high cost of living.
Normally, the cost of living in Alaska is very high when compared with other states in the United States.
Living in Alaska can be so expensive considering the costs of rent, utilities, food, transportation, and other costs.
How do people get paid to live in Alaska?
The government of the state pays citizens with the Alaska Permanent Fund. These funds are the state’s oil royalties which are divided up evenly among citizens and paid out via an annual dividend to anyone living in Alaska even kids.
About Alaska Permanent Fund
Alaska Permanent Fund was established in 1976 as a financial incentive that can help Alaska residents make up for the higher cost of living in the state.
Before the establishment of APF, 164 tracts of state-owned land were auctioned to an oil company for $900 million in 1969.
This led to an argument about where the money should go. Keith Harvey Miller, the governor then pushed for it to go directly to the people in the state, and many shared his idea.
It was this idea that led to the establishment of what is now known as the Alaska Permanent Fund today.
How much do you get paid to live in Alaska?
According to the Alaska Department of Revenue, PFD amounts have ranged from $331 to $2,072 for each person since 1982. In 2015, the amount was $2,072 for each person or $8,288 for a family of four.
This suggests that the amount for each person is not static. However, if you are still in search of answers to the question “how much do you get paid to live in Alaska?”, the state’s Permanent Fund Dividend (PFD) Program provides all of Alaska’s permanent residents (both children and adults) a small portion of the state’s oil wealth annually.
In 2018, the payout was $1,600 per person. Currently, citizens get up to $2,000 a year just for living there.
Who is qualified to get paid to live in Alaska this 2023
Although it might sound too good to be true, every permanent citizen qualifies to get paid in Alaska even kids. But not everyone that will apply will get paid.
For instance, in 2018, 670,759 people applied, but only 629,820 received payments. This is because they didn’t meet up with the criteria.
That is to say, to receive the dividend you must meet up with certain criteria. So, before you think of moving to Alaska with the intent of receiving the dividend, make sure you meet the requirements.
Here are some of the criteria
- You aren’t claiming residency in any other state or country
- If you were physically present in Alaska for 72 consecutive hours during 2023 or 2023.
- You must have plans of living in Alaska permanently.
- You will be disqualified if you are sentenced, convicted, or incarcerated for a felony during the year.
- You must live in Alaska for at least 180 days in the year. You must establish a full residency in the state. However, to achieve that you must show proof in any of:
- Moving household goods to Alaska and providing a shipping receipt
- Lease or rental agreement in the applicant’s name
- Home purchase
- Moorage/boat harbor fees (if living in a vessel)
- Employment, such as a W2 or paystub
- Alaska driver’s license or ID
- Vehicle registration (vehicle or truck, not motorcycle or motorhome)
- State benefits that require residency like Senior Benefits or Alaska Housing
- Voter registration
Also, although there are no such jobs in the state, you can get any of these 20 Jobs That Pay $50 An Hour | More Than $100/Day
Other reasons I should Live in Alaska
Aside from the fact that it will pay you for living in Alaska, there are many benefits you will gain. Some of them include:
Real Estate is quite affordable
Although the cost of living in Alaska is very high, real estates are affordable when compared with other states in the USA. No matter where you want to reside, there are many options throughout Alaska as far as real estate is concerned.
Alaska has Beautiful Places
There is nothing more enjoyable than living in a beautiful and conducive environment. Just the fresh breeze and wonderful atmosphere will make you live longer.
Here, you can see and experience the world’s most beautiful wildlife, and other natural phenomena regularly. In fact, by the time you visit Denali National Park or even Aleutians Island, you will understand what am talking about.
You won’t pay state income tax or sales tax
Alaska is one of the lowest tax states in the country. It is one of five states with no sales tax, and one of seven states with no individual income tax.
As a resident, you won’t be asked to pay state income tax or sales tax. However, they are to pay only property taxes. This can help you save a lot even with the high cost of living.
The state has a rich and unique history
From its early beginnings as a land bridge extending to Siberia to its official declaration as a U.S. state in 1959, Alaska boasts a fascinating and dynamic history.
Living in Alaska, you’ll find that the state’s rich history is clear through its national parks, artifacts, museums, and famed oil industry. For a closer look at Alaska’s history, check here.
Does Alaska Pay You to Live There?
Unfortunately, no. Alaska doesn’t pay you to live there. However, residents get some kind of payment from the government.
The money is not paid to you to live there, rather it is a token from the government to support residents due to the high cost of living in Alaska.
FAQs
Although the cost of living in Alaska varies a lot, it is generally considered high. Here are some factors to consider.
1. The cost of Rent
2. Utility Cost
3. Feeding Cost
4. Transportation.
The reason is that the government of Alaska pays residents because they want them to meet up with the high cost of living.
According to the Alaska Department of Revenue, PFD amounts have ranged from $331 to $2,072 for each person since 1982. In 2015, the amount was $2,072 for each person or $8,288 for a family of four.
Every permanent citizen qualifies to get paid in Alaska even kids. But not everyone that will apply will get paid.
In Conclusion
You can see that even with the high cost of living in Alaska, there is still something good about the state- you will get checks every month for living there. So, it’s high time you stop seeing your plan to move to Alaska as a bad idea.
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