City · 6,312 residents · Bethel Census Area, Alaska
Bethel, Alaska
In Bethel, a typical home is worth $360,200 and typical rent is $1,678 a month. Compared with all of Bethel Census Area, the typical home value is 114% higher, typical household income is 58% higher, and the share of households that own their home is 14 points lower.
Bethel is in Bethel Census Area. The FHA loan limit ($541,287 for a one-unit home), the fair market rents and the help on this page are those of all of Bethel Census Area. See the county
What this place has that others do not, from public data, most unusual first.
1
Bethel has the smallest share of rent-burdened renters of the 18 cities in Alaska with more than 5,000 people: 21%.
2
The typical home in Bethel is worth $360,200,114% more than in Bethel Census Area as a whole ($168,100).
3
The typical household income in Bethel is $117,255,58% more than in Bethel Census Area as a whole ($73,996).
4
Nearby, in Kenai, the typical rent is $1,138: 32% less than in Bethel ($1,678).
5
Bethel has the 2nd lowest homeownership rate of the 21 cities in Alaska with more than 5,000 people (47%).
6
Nearby, in Kenai, the typical home value is $283,900: 21% less than in Bethel ($360,200).
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau (Average 2020–2024).
The homes here
Housing in Bethel
What homes there are in Bethel, what they cost, how that changed and how people live, from Census figures (2020–2024).
What homes there are
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024
Kind of home
Detached houseAttached houseBuilding of 2 to 4Apartments (5 or more)Mobile homeBoat, RV and otherUnreliable estimate
Bethel
Bethel Census Area
Alaska
United States
Kind of home: Bethel and its comparisons
Measure
Bethel
Bethel Census Area
Alaska
United States
Detached house
62%
81%
63%
61%
Attached house
Unreliable estimate
Unreliable estimate
8%
6%
Building of 2 to 4
22%
11%
12%
8%
Apartments (5 or more)
Unreliable estimate
Unreliable estimate
12%
19%
Mobile home
4%
2%
4%
6%
Boat, RV and other
Unreliable estimate
Unreliable estimate
0%
0%
Detached houses are the majority in Bethel (62%), but less so than in Bethel Census Area (81%).
Year built
Before 19601960–19791980–19992000–20092010 or laterUnreliable estimate
Bethel
Bethel Census Area
Alaska
United States
Year built: Bethel and its comparisons
Measure
Bethel
Bethel Census Area
Alaska
United States
Before 1960
Unreliable estimate
3%
8%
26%
1960–1979
25%
26%
29%
24%
1980–1999
41%
42%
37%
25%
2000–2009
21%
19%
16%
14%
2010 or later
13%
11%
10%
11%
By age, homes in Bethel look like those in Bethel Census Area: the typical year built is 1990.
What it costs here
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024
Value of owner-occupied homes
Unreliable estimate
Under $100KUnreliable
$100K–$200KUnreliable
$200K–$300K12%
$300K–$500K64%
$500K–$750KUnreliable
$750K–$1MUnreliable
$1M or moreUnreliable
Value of owner-occupied homes: Bethel and its comparisons
Measure
Bethel
Under $100K
Unreliable estimate
$100K–$200K
Unreliable estimate
$200K–$300K
12%
$300K–$500K
64%
$500K–$750K
Unreliable estimate
$750K–$1M
Unreliable
$1M or more
Unreliable estimate
Monthly rent with utilities
Unreliable estimate
Under $500Unreliable
$500–$999Unreliable
$1,000–$1,49921%
$1,500–$1,99943%
$2,000–$2,49913%
$2,500–$2,999Unreliable
$3,000 or moreUnreliable
Monthly rent with utilities: Bethel and its comparisons
Measure
Bethel
Under $500
Unreliable estimate
$500–$999
Unreliable estimate
$1,000–$1,499
21%
$1,500–$1,999
43%
$2,000–$2,499
13%
$2,500–$2,999
Unreliable estimate
$3,000 or more
Unreliable
With a mortgage
$2,342 a month
Bethel Census Area: $2,066 a month
Without a mortgage
$897 a month
Bethel Census Area: $459 a month
Owners with a mortgage
63%
Bethel Census Area: 32%
In Bethel, 63% of owners have a mortgage, and their typical cost is $2,342 a month, against $2,066 in Bethel Census Area. Without one it drops to $897.
How it changed
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2015–2019 and 2020–2024
Change since 2015–2019
Typical home value
Bethel+29%
Bethel Census Area+101%
Alaska+31%
United States+53%
Typical rent
BethelNo clear change
Bethel Census AreaNo clear change
Alaska+14%
United States+33%
Typical household income
Bethel+41%
Bethel Census Area+38%
Alaska+20%
United States+29%
Change since 2015–2019: Bethel and its comparisons
Measure
Bethel
Bethel Census Area
Alaska
United States
Typical home value
+29%
+101%
+31%
+53%
Typical rent
No clear change
No clear change
+14%
+33%
Typical household income
+41%
+38%
+20%
+29%
From 2015–2019 to 2020–2024, the typical home value in Bethel rose 29%; in Bethel Census Area, it rose 101%.
Since 2015–2019, the typical rent in Bethel did not change clearly, according to the Census.
How people live
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024
How people live: Bethel and its comparisons
Measure
Bethel
Bethel Census Area
Alaska
United States
Rental vacancy
Unreliable estimate
Unreliable estimate
7.0%
5.5%
Homeowner vacancy
Unreliable estimate
Unreliable estimate
0.9%
0.9%
More than one person per room
19.9%
33.7%
5.7%
3.4%
People per household
2.81
3.63
2.61
2.53
Drive alone
40%
23%
65%
69%
Carpool
22%
12%
12%
9%
Public transit
Unreliable estimate
Unreliable estimate
1%
3%
Walk or bike
19%
31%
8%
3%
Work from home
9%
7%
10%
15%
Other means
10%
28%
4%
2%
Typical commute
Unreliable estimate
under 10 minutes
10 to 19 minutes
20 to 29 minutes
More than one person per room: that is how 19.9% of households in Bethel live, less than in Bethel Census Area (33.7%).
Households in Bethel are smaller: 2.81 people on average; in Bethel Census Area, 3.63.
Carpooling is common in Bethel: 22% of workers get to work that way, against 12% in Bethel Census Area.
Do the math
What would you pay each month for a home in Bethel?
A typical home is within reach of the typical income
We start with a typical home in Bethel, worth $360,200, an FHA loan with 3.5% down and the latest average rate (7.18%). That payment would take 28% of the typical household income in Bethel, which is $117,255 a year.
The calculator's FHA and conventional loan limits are those of all of Bethel Census Area.
Change the price, the down payment or the loan: the payment updates right away.
Your numbers
Local data
$
Starts at the typical home value in Bethel. Change it to the price you have in mind.
Your score changes which loans apply and FHA's minimum down payment. Your real rate also depends on your credit.
Down payment
%
That is $12,607 (3.5% of the price). The usual minimum for this loan is 3.5%.
This week's average ± a quarter or half point.
National average as of November 5, 2026 (Freddie Mac); your rate may be different.
Adjust advanced details⌄
Estimated monthly payment
Local data
$2,741
at 7.18% · 30 years
Loan amount
$353,676
Total interest
$508,857
Paid off in
November 2056
Includes $6,083 FHA upfront mortgage insurance premium.
Does it fit the income?
Comfortable
up to $2,736 a month
Tight
$2,736 to $3,518 a month
Your payment · 28%
Hard
more than $3,518 a month
Compared with the typical household income in Bethel ($117,255 a year). Reference: HUD calls paying more than 30% of income for housing a cost burden.
Monthly payment breakdown
Principal & interest
$2,396
Property tax
$36
Home insurance
$150
FHA mortgage insurance (MIP)
$159
You need at least $12,607 for the down payment, plus closing costs.
This is an estimate to give you an idea, not a loan offer. Your real payment depends on your rate, your credit, and the insurance and taxes on the home you buy.
Total monthly payment $2,741; principal and interest $2,396.
The city and its county
Bethel and Bethel Census Area
Bethel is in Bethel Census Area, Alaska. The U.S. Census Bureau publishes its own numbers for the city: home values, rent, household income, how many households own their home and the property tax. They are American Community Survey estimates (average 2020–2024).
Map of Bethel Census Area, Alaska, with Bethel marked. Around it, the neighboring counties.
Bethel Census Area
Bethel's own numbers
Typical home value
$360,200
Typical monthly rent
$1,678
Typical yearly household income
$117,255
Households that own their home
47%
U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (average 2020–2024).
Numbers for all of Bethel Census Area
FHA limit, one-unit home
$541,287
Conventional limit, one unit
$1,249,125
HUD fair market rent, 2 bedrooms
$1,971
HUD, FHFA and FEMA don't publish these numbers by city.
Other numbers are not published by city, only for the whole county: FHA and conventional loan limits, HUD’s fair market rents, FHFA’s price index and FEMA’s flood data. On this page, those numbers always say they are for all of Bethel Census Area.
A typical home in Bethel is worth $360,200: 114% above the census area and 2% above Alaska. With the typical household income in Bethel ($117,255 a year), a typical home costs 3.1 times what the household earns in a year.
Years of income to pay for a typical home
The typical home value divided by the typical household income for one year. The lower it is, the less buying weighs.
Bethel3.1 years
Census area2.3 years
Alaska3.8 years
United States4.1 years
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Average 2020–2024
How prices have changed in Alaska
According to FHFA’s house price index, home prices in Alaska rose 52% in the 10 years through 2025.
Yearly change in FHFA’s price index in Alaska, 2016 to 2025
2016: +1.9% +1.9% 2016
2017: +1.3% +1.3% 2017
2018: +1.5% +1.5% 2018
2019: +2.1% +2.1% 2019
2020: +2.4% +2.4% 2020
2021: +6.6% +6.6% 2021
2022: +12.2% +12.2% 2022
2023: +6.8% +6.8% 2023
2024: +4.7% +4.7% 2024
2025: +4.1% +4.1% 2025
Change in FHFA’s price index in Alaska, Alaska and the United States
Period
Alaska
U.S.
Last year (2025)
+4.1%
+2.9%
5 years (2020–2025)
+39%
+47%
10 years (2015–2025)
+52%
+85%
The index follows the price of the same homes over time (sales and appraisals with Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac loans). It is not the average price of a home. FHFA considers its annual county indexes experimental. Source: FHFA, 2025 data
Bethel next to Bethel Census Area, Alaska and the U.S.
Three numbers side by side. “Typical” means the median: half are above it and half below.
Typical home value
Bethel$360,200
Census area$168,100
Alaska$352,900
United States$332,700
Typical monthly rent
Bethel$1,678
Census area$1,474
Alaska$1,419
United States$1,413
Typical yearly household income
Bethel$117,255
Census area$73,996
Alaska$92,788
United States$80,734
See the full table
Bethel next to Bethel Census Area and Alaska
Measure
Bethel
Bethel Census Area
Alaska
U.S.
Typical home value
$360,200 ▲114% above the census area
$168,100
$352,900
$332,700
Typical monthly rent
$1,678 ▲14% above the census area
$1,474
$1,419
$1,413
Typical yearly household income
$117,255 ▲58% above the census area
$73,996
$92,788
$80,734
Households that own their home
47% ▼14 points below the census area
62%
67%
65%
Renters with high rent for their income
21% ▼2 points below the census area
23%
45%
51%
“Typical” means the median: half are above and half are below. ▲ and ▼ say whether the city is above or below Bethel Census Area. “High rent” is the Census measure: renter households that pay 30% or more of their income in rent.
Four ways to pay for a typical home in Bethel
For a typical $360,200 home in Bethel, at Freddie Mac's average rate (7.18% as of November 5, 2026) over 30 years. The monthly payment adds principal and interest, an example home insurance and mortgage insurance when it applies. It leaves out property tax because the Census Bureau doesn't publish Bethel's rate.
FHA, 3.5% down$2,705a month
Least cash to close
Down payment
$12,607
Cash to close
$23,413
Rate
7.18%
Mortgage insurance
FHA MIP · $159
Conventional, 5% down$2,639a month
Down payment
$18,010
Cash to close
$28,816
Rate
7.18%
Mortgage insurance
PMI · $171
Conventional, 20% down, no PMI$2,102a month
Down payment
$72,040
Cash to close
$82,846
Rate
7.18%
Mortgage insurance
None
ITIN, 15% down (example)$2,435a month
Down payment
$54,030
Cash to close
$64,836
Rate
8.18%
Mortgage insurance
None
Four ways to pay for a typical home in Bethel
Loan
Monthly payment
Down payment
Loan amount
Rate
Mortgage insurance
Cash to close
Minimum score
FHA, 3.5% down Least cash to close
$2,705
$12,607
$353,676
7.18%
FHA MIP · $159
$23,413
580
Conventional, 5% down
$2,639
$18,010
$342,190
7.18%
PMI · $171
$28,816
620*
Conventional, 20% down, no PMI
$2,102
$72,040
$288,160
7.18%
None
$82,846
620*
ITIN, 15% down (example)
$2,435
$54,030
$306,170
8.18%
None
$64,836
Set by the lender
The option that asks for the least cash to close is FHA, 3.5% down.
Cash to close = down payment plus 3% of the price in closing costs (example).
Minimum score: FHA requires 580 or higher for the minimum down payment (HUD Handbook 4000.1). * Fannie Mae requires 620 when a loan is underwritten by hand; its automated system has no fixed minimum.
The ITIN row is an example with a rate 1 percentage point higher: ITIN loans follow no federal rule and each lender sets its own down payment and rate. Nothing in this table promises an approval.
Typical rent in Bethel is $1,678 a month: 14% above the census area. In Bethel, 21% of renter households pay 30% or more of their income in rent.
HUD publishes a fair market rent for all of Bethel Census Area, by unit size. To pay the 2-bedroom one ($1,971 a month) without spending more than 30% of your income, you would need to earn $37.90 an hour working full time.
HUD fair market rent for all of Bethel Census Area
What you need to earn to pay it without spending more than 30% of income, working full time.
HUD fair market rent in Bethel Census Area (Fiscal year 2027)
Size
Fair rent a month
Hourly wage
Yearly income
Studio
$1,738
$33.42
$69,520
1 bedroom
$1,811
$34.83
$72,440
2 bedrooms
$1,971
$37.90
$78,840
3 bedrooms
$2,348
$45.15
$93,920
4 bedrooms
$2,590
$49.81
$103,600
Includes basic utilities. It isn't the lowest or highest rent: it's a reference point. Source: HUD, Fiscal year 2027
By ZIP code
Fair market rent by ZIP code in Bethel
HUD also publishes a fair market rent for each ZIP code (Small Area FMR, fiscal year 2027). Bethel is in ZIP code 99559.
For 2 bedrooms it is $2,040: $69 more than the fair market rent for Bethel Census Area ($1,971).
Fair market rent by ZIP code and size in Bethel, fiscal year 2027.
ZIP code
Studio
1 bd
2 bd
3 bd
4 bd
99559
$1,800
$1,870
$2,040
$2,430
$2,680
ZIP code2 bd3 bd
99559 $2,040$2,430
1 of these ZIP codes crosses the city line: HUD sets the rent by ZIP code, not by city. A ZIP code counts for Bethel when at least 50% of its land is inside the city or it covers at least 15% of the city (Census 2020 boundaries). Source: Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD)Fiscal year 2027Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD) (external site)Source: Census Bureau ZCTA-to-place relationship fileData from 2020 dataCensus Bureau ZCTA-to-place relationship file (external site)
You do not have to do this alone. A HUD-approved housing counseling agency helps for free or at low cost: getting ready to buy, understanding your credit, or solving a problem with your rent.
We found no HUD-approved agencies with an office in Bethel Census Area. The nearest ones are below; many serve by phone or online.
No down payment, repair or rent-help program on our list is for Bethel or Bethel Census Area. The ones below are statewide in Alaska: they work in Bethel the same as in the rest of the state.
Alaska state authority help of 3% or 4% of the loan, paid at closing and not repaid, for the down payment, closing costs or to reduce the principal; with 30-year fixed-rate FHA, VA or USDA mortgages.Offered by Alaska Housing Finance Corporation (AHFC).
No legal help resource on our list is for Bethel or Bethel Census Area in particular.
If you have a problem with your landlord, an eviction notice or a scam, the Legal Services Corporation (LSC) search shows the free legal aid offices that serve your area.
Short answers with the numbers for Bethel and all of Bethel Census Area. If your case is different, a HUD-approved counseling agency can guide you for free or at low cost.
How much does a typical home cost in Bethel?
The typical home value in Bethel is $360,200, according to the U.S. Census Bureau (average 2020–2024). For comparison, in Bethel Census Area it is $168,100.
How much does it cost to rent in Bethel?
Typical rent in Bethel is $1,678 a month, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. HUD’s fair market rent for 2 bedrooms in Bethel Census Area is $1,971.
What is the FHA loan limit in Bethel?
Bethel uses the FHA limit for all of Bethel Census Area (2026): $541,287 for a one-unit home and $1,041,125 for a four-unit home.
Where can I find free help to buy or rent in Bethel?
We found no HUD-approved counseling agencies with an office in Bethel Census Area; the nearest ones are on this page. They can help you get ready to buy, with your credit, or with rent.
