Buying a home
Data from November 2026
Buying a home in Alaska
A typical home in Alaska is worth $352,900 (Average 2020–2024). The FHA limit for one unit is $541,287–$596,850 depending on the borough. Here is the minimum down payment each loan type asks at that price, every borough’s limit, and the state’s assistance programs.
Key numbers in Alaska
- Typical home
- $352,900
- median value, Average 2020–2024
- 6% more than the U.S.
- FHA limit
- $541,287–$596,850
- one unit, by borough
- In 4 of the 30 boroughs, the limit is above the national floor ($541,287).
- Conforming limit
- $832,750
- up to $1,249,125 in high-cost areas
- Above this amount, the loan is a “jumbo” loan.
- Minimum FHA down payment
- $12,352
- 3.5% of a $352,900 home
- VA and USDA ask for no down payment if you qualify.
Down payment
How much each loan asks up front
For a $352,900 home, the typical value in Alaska. The minimum down payment is each program’s rule. The monthly figure is an example of principal and interest over 30 years at the 7.18% average rate (November 5, 2026): no taxes, insurance or mortgage insurance.
Your price, rate and down payment will differ: run the calculator with your numbers. Closing costs are extra.
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FHA Program rule
Minimum down3.5%
In dollars$12,352
Per month$2,307
With a credit score of 580 or more. Carries mortgage insurance (MIP) up front and every month.
HUD Handbook 4000.1 (Update 18), II.A.2.a.iv — Minimum Required Investment · In effect since September 14, 2016
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Conventional Program rule
Minimum down3%
In dollars$10,587
Per month$2,319
3% is the lowest standard option. With less than 20% down you pay private mortgage insurance (PMI) until you have more equity.
Fannie Mae Selling Guide B5-6-01 — HomeReady Mortgage Loan and Borrower Eligibility · In effect since January 1, 2024
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VA Program rule
Minimum down0%
In dollars$0
Per month$2,391
For veterans, service members and some spouses. No down payment as long as the price is not above the appraisal; charges a one-time funding fee.
VA: Purchase loan — benefits · In effect since January 1, 2020
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USDA Program rule
Minimum down0%
In dollars$0
Per month$2,391
Only homes in eligible rural areas and households within USDA’s income limit. Finances the full price.
7 CFR §3555.103 — Maximum loan amount (Guaranteed Rural Housing Program) · In effect since December 9, 2013
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ITIN loans follow no federal rule: each lender sets its own down payment and rate, and usually asks for more. 15% is an example.
Loan limits
FHA and conforming limit in every borough
FHA sets the limit by area: 4 of the 30 boroughs in Alaska are high-cost and sit above the national floor ($541,287). The conforming limit is the most Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will buy; above it, the loan is a “jumbo”.
| Juneau City and Borough | $596,850 | $1,249,125 | $449,300 | High-cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sitka City and Borough | $586,500 | $1,249,125 | $450,300 | High-cost |
| Aleutians West Census Area | $585,350 | $1,249,125 | $434,700 | High-cost |
| Kodiak Island Borough | $541,650 | $1,249,125 | $412,300 | High-cost |
| Skagway Municipality | $541,287 | $1,249,125 | $435,400 | National floor |
| Anchorage Municipality | $541,287 | $1,249,125 | $395,900 | National floor |
| Ketchikan Gateway Borough | $541,287 | $1,249,125 | $393,300 | National floor |
| Matanuska-Susitna Borough | $541,287 | $1,249,125 | $346,600 | National floor |
| Chugach Census Area | $541,287 | $1,249,125 | $346,200 | National floor |
| Kenai Peninsula Borough | $541,287 | $1,249,125 | $323,200 | National floor |
| Petersburg Borough | $541,287 | $1,249,125 | $315,100 | National floor |
| Fairbanks North Star Borough | $541,287 | $1,249,125 | $298,200 | National floor |
| Wrangell City and Borough | $541,287 | $1,249,125 | $296,400 | National floor |
| Haines Borough | $541,287 | $1,249,125 | $293,300 | National floor |
| Copper River Census Area | $541,287 | $1,249,125 | $292,800 | National floor |
| Southeast Fairbanks Census Area | $541,287 | $1,249,125 | $282,000 | National floor |
| Denali Borough | $541,287 | $1,249,125 | $275,000 | National floor |
| Hoonah-Angoon Census Area | $541,287 | $1,249,125 | $262,800 | National floor |
| Bristol Bay Borough | $541,287 | $1,249,125 | $245,800 | National floor |
| Lake and Peninsula Borough | $541,287 | $1,249,125 | $237,500 | National floor |
| Prince of Wales-Hyder Census Area | $541,287 | $1,249,125 | $225,300 | National floor |
| Yakutat City and Borough | $541,287 | $1,249,125 | $219,400 | National floor |
| North Slope Borough | $541,287 | $1,249,125 | $218,300 | National floor |
| Nome Census Area | $541,287 | $1,249,125 | $211,200 | National floor |
| Northwest Arctic Borough | $541,287 | $1,249,125 | $199,100 | National floor |
| Bethel Census Area | $541,287 | $1,249,125 | $168,100 | National floor |
| Dillingham Census Area | $541,287 | $1,249,125 | $159,000 | National floor |
| Aleutians East Borough | $541,287 | $1,249,125 | $135,500 | National floor |
| Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area | $541,287 | $1,249,125 | $98,500 | National floor |
| Kusilvak Census Area | $541,287 | $1,249,125 | $84,300 | National floor |
- Juneau $596,850$1,249,125
- Sitka $586,500$1,249,125
- Aleutians West $585,350$1,249,125
- Kodiak Island $541,650$1,249,125
- Skagway $541,287$1,249,125
- Anchorage $541,287$1,249,125
- Ketchikan Gateway $541,287$1,249,125
- Matanuska-Susitna $541,287$1,249,125
- Chugach $541,287$1,249,125
- Kenai Peninsula $541,287$1,249,125
- Petersburg $541,287$1,249,125
- Fairbanks North Star $541,287$1,249,125
- Wrangell $541,287$1,249,125
- Haines $541,287$1,249,125
- Copper River $541,287$1,249,125
- Southeast Fairbanks $541,287$1,249,125
- Denali $541,287$1,249,125
- Hoonah-Angoon $541,287$1,249,125
- Bristol Bay $541,287$1,249,125
- Lake and Peninsula $541,287$1,249,125
- Prince of Wales-Hyder $541,287$1,249,125
- Yakutat $541,287$1,249,125
- North Slope $541,287$1,249,125
- Nome $541,287$1,249,125
- Northwest Arctic $541,287$1,249,125
- Bethel $541,287$1,249,125
- Dillingham $541,287$1,249,125
- Aleutians East $541,287$1,249,125
- Yukon-Koyukuk $541,287$1,249,125
- Kusilvak $541,287$1,249,125
One unit. For 2- to 4-unit homes, each borough page has the full table. Source: FHA mortgage limits (HUD) Data from 2026 data FHA mortgage limits (HUD) (external site)
Down payment help
Alaska programs for buyers
1 verified program that put money toward the down payment or closing costs, or give a tax credit. With the source wording and the date we checked it.
Some help is a grant you never repay; other help is a second loan that is forgiven over the years or repaid when you sell. Each program’s tag says which kind it is.
See all programs-
Closing Cost Assistance Program (CCAP)
Verified November 5, 2026
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
- Grant
What the state publishes
Alaska rules that change the math
Exemptions that lower property tax and taxes paid when the deed is recorded, summarized from the official page each one cites.
Property tax in AlaskaExemptions and caps
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Optional municipal residential exemption
Alaska law lets a municipality exempt residential property from property tax, fully or in part. It needs an ordinance ratified by the voters at an election. The exemption cannot be more than $75,000 of assessed value for any one residence. The municipality may adjust that amount each year for the rise in the cost of living calculated by the State Assessor.
AS 29.45.050(a) · Alaska State Legislature (Alaska Statutes 2025) · Verified October 24, 2026
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$150,000 exemption for owners 65 and older and disabled veterans
If the home is your primary residence and permanent place of abode, and you are a resident who is 65 or older, a disabled veteran, or at least 60 and the widow or widower of someone who qualified, the first $150,000 of the property's assessed value is exempt from tax.
AS 29.45.030(e) · Alaska State Legislature (Alaska Statutes 2025) · Verified October 24, 2026
When the sale is recorded
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State law bars a tax on real property transfers
An Alaska law says the state may not levy or collect a sales or use tax on the transfer of real property.
AS 43.98.035 · Alaska State Legislature (Alaska Statutes 2025) · Verified October 24, 2026
Your next steps
Where to go next in Alaska
What you can do today, free and without giving personal information. Go in order: your numbers first, then the help.
- Run the numbers with your figures
The Alaska calculator already has the typical value, the average rate and the state’s property tax.
- Check whether you qualify for help
Each program says what it gives, who qualifies and when we checked it.
- Talk to a counselor for free
1 HUD-approved agency helps you prepare to buy; none says it serves in Spanish.
- Follow the steps to buy a home
From the budget to the keys, in order.
Frequently asked questions
How much down payment do I need for a typical home in Alaska?
For a $352,900 home (typical value, Average 2020–2024), the FHA minimum (3.5%) is $12,352 and the conventional minimum (3%) is $10,587. VA and USDA ask no down payment if you qualify. State programs can cover part of it.
Are there high-cost boroughs in Alaska?
Yes. In 2026 data, 4 of the 30 boroughs in Alaska have an FHA limit above the national floor ($541,287); the highest is Juneau City and Borough ($596,850).
What is the conforming loan limit in Alaska?
In 2026 data, the conforming limit for one unit runs from $832,750 to $1,249,125 depending on the borough in Alaska: the most Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will buy. Above it, the loan is a “jumbo” and each lender sets its own terms.
What would the monthly payment be on a typical home in Alaska?
With $352,900, the FHA minimum down payment ($12,352) and the 7.18% average rate (November 5, 2026), principal and interest over 30 years comes to about $2,307 a month. Tax, insurance and mortgage insurance are missing: the calculator adds them.
What down payment help is there in Alaska?
We have verified 1 state program in Alaska that put money toward the down payment or closing costs, or give a tax credit. Each shows the source wording, who qualifies and the date we checked it.