Part 6/10:
Beyond the environmental challenges, Alaska's cost of living raises additional concerns. Counterintuitively, one might assume that living in a remote state would mean lower prices; however, the opposite is true. The distance from the mainland results in inflated prices for basic necessities. Rural areas may see a gallon of milk soar to $10, while a dozen eggs could cost between $6 and $8.
Even in larger cities like Anchorage, prices for necessities are often double what they are in the lower 48 states. Dining out can be prohibitively expensive, with fast food meals exceeding $15 with ease. Housing costs add another dimension to the financial struggles, where the average home in Anchorage costs over $400,000, with rents spiraling upwards as well.