Stretched

What Salary Do You Need to Live in St. Mary's?

To afford a 2-bedroom in St. Mary's, you need to earn at least $47,000/year based on estimated fair market rent data. The median household income here is $43,750, which means the typical resident is $3,250 below the threshold.

Census ACS Data Pop. 992

Salary Required by Bedroom Size

Bedroom	Monthly Rent	Monthly Income	Annual Salary	vs. Median
Studio	$823	$2,743	$32,920	$-10,830
1 Bedroom	$975	$3,250	$39,000	$-4,750
2 Bedroom BENCHMARK	$1,175	$3,917	$47,000	+$3,250
3 Bedroom	$1,434	$4,780	$57,360	+$13,610
4 Bedroom	$1,763	$5,877	$70,520	+$26,770

Affordability Breakdown

Where the required salary line crosses above St. Mary's's median income — housing becomes unaffordable for the typical resident.

Required Salary Median Income

Income vs. Rent Snapshot

Median Income

$43,750

Annual household

2BR Required Salary

$47,000

Under 30% rule

Income Gap

-$3,250

Deficit

Verdict

Stretched

Ratio: 32.2%

The 30% Rule Calculator

Enter your annual salary to see what you can afford in St. Mary's

Your Annual Salary

Pre-filled with St. Mary's's median household income

Max monthly rent you can afford$1,094

Studio

$823/mo

1 BR

$975/mo

2 BR

$1,175/mo

3 BR

$1,434/mo

4 BR

$1,763/mo

Your salary is $0 above the median income in St. Mary's.

Salary Comparison by Bedroom

Bars left of the marker line are affordable for St. Mary's's median earner. Bars to the right require above-median income.

Affordable Above Median Median Income

What This Means If You're Moving to St. Mary's

Renting in St. Mary's is stretched but not impossible. The gap is a relatively narrow $3,250, suggesting that households slightly above median can find workable arrangements — especially with studios at $823/month.

If you're relocating to St. Mary's, target the studio or 1-bedroom tier ($823–$975/month) unless your income exceeds $47,000. A roommate splitting a 2-bedroom effectively halves the individual rent burden to $588/month.

The break-even salary for comfortable living in St. Mary's is approximately $70,500. Below this threshold, expect housing to consume a disproportionate share of your budget, limiting discretionary spending and savings capacity.

Economic Outlook

Local Job Market & Housing Dynamics

Affording rent isn't just about housing prices—it's heavily dependent on local employment opportunities and the strength of the job market in St. Mary's, Alaska.

With a total population of 992, the city supports an active civilian workforce of 330 people. A strong employment base often indicates a stable economy, which is crucial when committing to a lease requiring a $47,000 annual salary. The ratio of employed residents to the total population provides insight into the local economic health and competition for both jobs and housing.

Employed Workforce

330

Active civilian employees in St. Mary's

Frequently Asked Questions About Renting in St. Mary's

What salary do I need to live in St. Mary's, Alaska?

To afford a 2-bedroom in St. Mary's under the 30% rule, you need an annual salary of at least $47,000. The median household income in St. Mary's is $43,750.

Can I afford a 2-bedroom in St. Mary's on $43,750?

The affordability verdict for St. Mary's is "Stretched". The rent-to-income ratio is 32.2%, meaning there's a $3,250 income gap.

What is the average rent in St. Mary's compared to median income?

The median gross rent in St. Mary's is $975/month. With a median household income of $43,750, residents spend approximately 32.2% of their income on rent.

What salary do I need for a studio in St. Mary's?

A studio in St. Mary's rents for approximately $823/month. Under the 30% rule, you need an annual salary of $32,920 to afford this.

Is St. Mary's considered an affordable place to live?

Based on the deficit of $3,250 and an affordability verdict of "Stretched", St. Mary's is considered a stretched rental market when comparing the required 2-bedroom salary of $47,000 to the local median household income.

How St. Mary's Compares

Other cities in Alaska with salary requirements