Unaffordable

What Salary Do You Need to Live in Teller?

To afford a 2-bedroom in Teller, you need to earn at least $50,840/year based on estimated fair market rent data. The median household income here is $34,688, which means the typical resident is $16,152 below the threshold.

Census ACS Data Pop. 279

Salary Required by Bedroom Size

Bedroom	Monthly Rent	Monthly Income	Annual Salary	vs. Median
Studio	$890	$2,967	$35,600	+$912
1 Bedroom	$1,055	$3,517	$42,200	+$7,512
2 Bedroom BENCHMARK	$1,271	$4,237	$50,840	+$16,152
3 Bedroom	$1,551	$5,170	$62,040	+$27,352
4 Bedroom	$1,907	$6,357	$76,280	+$41,592

Affordability Breakdown

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

Required Salary Median Income

Income vs. Rent Snapshot

Median Income

$34,688

Annual household

2BR Required Salary

$50,840

Under 30% rule

Income Gap

-$16,152

Deficit

Verdict

Unaffordable

Ratio: 44.0%

The 30% Rule Calculator

Enter your annual salary to see what you can afford in Teller

Your Annual Salary

Pre-filled with Teller's median household income

Max monthly rent you can afford$867

Studio

$890/mo

1 BR

$1,055/mo

2 BR

$1,271/mo

3 BR

$1,551/mo

4 BR

$1,907/mo

Your salary is $0 above the median income in Teller.

Salary Comparison by Bedroom

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

Affordable Above Median Median Income

What This Means If You're Moving to Teller

Renting in Teller is unaffordable for most median earners. The $16,152 income gap means a 2-bedroom at $1,271/month requires significant above-median earnings or a dual-income household to be sustainable.

For those committed to Teller, the realistic options are: (1) target a studio at $890/month, which requires $35,600/year — closer to the median; (2) find a roommate for a 2-bedroom, cutting individual costs to ~$636/month; or (3) negotiate remote work and live in a more affordable Alaska city.

To live comfortably in Teller without financial strain, you realistically need a household income of $76,260 or higher. This isn't just about rent — it accounts for Alaska's overall cost of living including transportation, food, and healthcare.

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 Teller, Alaska.

With a total population of 279, the city supports an active civilian workforce of 86 people. A strong employment base often indicates a stable economy, which is crucial when committing to a lease requiring a $50,840 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

Active civilian employees in Teller

Frequently Asked Questions About Renting in Teller

What salary do I need to live in Teller, Alaska?

To afford a 2-bedroom in Teller under the 30% rule, you need an annual salary of at least $50,840. The median household income in Teller is $34,688.

Can I afford a 2-bedroom in Teller on $34,688?

The affordability verdict for Teller is "Unaffordable". The rent-to-income ratio is 44.0%, meaning there's a $16,152 income gap.

What is the average rent in Teller compared to median income?

The median gross rent in Teller is $1,055/month. With a median household income of $34,688, residents spend approximately 44.0% of their income on rent.

What salary do I need for a studio in Teller?

A studio in Teller rents for approximately $890/month. Under the 30% rule, you need an annual salary of $35,600 to afford this.

Is Teller considered an affordable place to live?

Based on the deficit of $16,152 and an affordability verdict of "Unaffordable", Teller is considered a unaffordable rental market when comparing the required 2-bedroom salary of $50,840 to the local median household income.

How Teller Compares

Other cities in Alaska with salary requirements