1st Advantage MortgageIn Matanuska-Susitna Borough, Alaska, the typical household earns $94,031 a year and the typical rent is $1,299. Those figures describe the county, not you: compare at least three written offers by APR and total cost, and confirm the lender's license before you apply.
On this page
- Matanuska-Susitna Borough at a glance
- Household income in Matanuska-Susitna Borough
- Matanuska-Susitna Borough housing compared with Alaska
- Work, industries and travel time in Matanuska-Susitna Borough
- Matanuska-Susitna Borough next to its neighbors
- Places inside Matanuska-Susitna Borough
- Room for a loan payment in Matanuska-Susitna Borough
- Who lives in Matanuska-Susitna Borough, in numbers
- Borrowing situations common in Matanuska-Susitna Borough
- Lender oversight for Matanuska-Susitna Borough
- Four steps for Matanuska-Susitna Borough borrowers
- Nearby and statewide guides
- Frequently asked questions
Matanuska-Susitna Borough at a glance
With an estimated 112,988 residents (ACS 2020 to 2024), Matanuska-Susitna Borough ranks 2nd of 30 in Alaska for population. It covers 24,707 square miles of land, or about 5 people per square mile. The federal metro definitions (OMB, July 2023) place it in the Anchorage, AK metropolitan area. Knik-Fairview is the biggest of its 30 Census places, at roughly 19,972 people (18% of the county total).
Household income in Matanuska-Susitna Borough
At $94,031, the typical Matanuska-Susitna Borough household income is 43% above the median U.S. county ($65,681). In the state ranking that is 7th of 30.
| Income band | Share in Matanuska-Susitna Borough | Difference from Alaska |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 17.3% | +1.1 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 35.8% | -1.5 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 33.4% | +1.4 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 13.6% | -1.1 pts |
About 17% of households earn under $35,000, while 47% clear $100,000. The poverty rate is 10.0%, the same as the state's 10.1%. If your income is irregular, as it often is with tips, gig work or seasonal jobs, plan around your leaner months rather than the Matanuska-Susitna Borough median.
Matanuska-Susitna Borough housing compared with Alaska
A typical Matanuska-Susitna Borough rental runs $1,299 a month including utilities, which is 8% below Alaska. Rent takes 30% or more of income for 53% of renter households here. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $346,600, about 3.7 times the median household income. 77% of Matanuska-Susitna Borough households own their home and 23% rent. Median construction year: 1997.
| Matanuska-Susitna Borough | Alaska | U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $1,299/mo | $1,419/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $346,600 | $352,900 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 77% | 67% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 53% | 45% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 30% | 29% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 2.6% | 3.9% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 22% | 18% | n/a |
Owners with equity have a second option. Weigh a secured line against an unsecured loan by risk as well as cost before you choose (how they compare). Rent pressure is real here, so run any payment through the debt-to-income calculator before you apply.
Work, industries and travel time in Matanuska-Susitna Borough
Education and health care employs 23% of working residents, the largest share; construction is next with 12%. Construction stands out: 12% of workers here, versus 7% statewide. Averaged over the five survey years, 5.8% of the labor force was out of work and looking. 32% of commuters travel 45 minutes or more each way, and 12% work from home. 3.8% of households have no vehicle.
| Top industries | Matanuska-Susitna Borough share | +/- vs Alaska |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 23.1% | -1.5 pts |
| Construction | 12.3% | +5.1 pts |
| Retail trade | 12.0% | +2.1 pts |
| Public administration | 9.8% | -2.2 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 9.2% | +0.7 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 7.4% | -0.9 pts |
A lender verifies what your own job pays. The county's industry mix tells you about the local economy, not about your application.
Matanuska-Susitna Borough next to its neighbors
Anchorage Municipality is closest, 76 miles from center to center; the sixth, Fairbanks North Star Borough, is 190 miles off. Income ranges from $79,250 in Copper River Census Area to $103,284 in Anchorage Municipality; 1 of these neighbors top Matanuska-Susitna Borough's median.
| County | Miles | Median household income | Median rent | Homeownership |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Matanuska-Susitna Borough | - | $94,031 | $1,299/mo | 77% |
| Anchorage Municipality, AK | 76 mi | $103,284 | $1,489/mo | 64% |
| Denali Borough, AK | 99 mi | $80,781 | $825/mo | 65% |
| Kenai Peninsula Borough, AK | 161 mi | $80,538 | $1,184/mo | 77% |
| Chugach Census Area, AK | 164 mi | $90,509 | $1,369/mo | 64% |
| Copper River Census Area, AK | 181 mi | $79,250 | $1,089/mo | 69% |
| Fairbanks North Star Borough, AK | 190 mi | $88,267 | $1,459/mo | 62% |
Places inside Matanuska-Susitna Borough
30 Census places fall mainly inside Matanuska-Susitna Borough; the 14 biggest are below. They account for 107,774 residents, leaving about 5% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. Gateway has the highest median household income on the list ($137,772) and Susitna North the lowest ($55,357), counting places with at least 500 residents. Rent is cheapest in Buffalo Soapstone ($791) and steepest in Farm Loop ($1,991). No Matanuska-Susitna Borough place has a separate guide yet; this county page serves all 30.
| Community | Type | Residents | Household income (median) | Rent (median) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Knik-Fairview | CDP | 19,972 | $96,437 | $1,588 | 53 mi |
| North Lakes | CDP | 10,223 | $101,679 | $1,441 | 45 mi |
| Wasilla | city | 9,720 | $67,234 | $1,153 | 47 mi |
| Tanaina | CDP | 9,646 | $105,536 | $1,398 | 42 mi |
| Meadow Lakes | CDP | 8,689 | $81,699 | $1,377 | 44 mi |
| Gateway | CDP | 6,845 | $137,772 | $1,741 | 49 mi |
| Palmer | city | 6,268 | $72,201 | $1,125 | 48 mi |
| South Lakes | CDP | 6,180 | $98,141 | $1,178 | 47 mi |
| Fishhook | CDP | 5,819 | $111,375 | $1,837 | 38 mi |
| Butte | CDP | 4,085 | $101,042 | $1,610 | 53 mi |
| Big Lake | CDP | 3,585 | $81,406 | $1,235 | 54 mi |
| Farm Loop | CDP | 2,894 | $119,375 | $1,991 | 45 mi |
| Houston | city | 1,834 | $73,015 | $887 | 46 mi |
| Willow | CDP | 1,815 | $89,000 | $1,375 | 26 mi |
A CDP is a named community without its own municipal government.
Room for a loan payment in Matanuska-Susitna Borough
How much room does a median Matanuska-Susitna Borough budget have? Take median income, subtract median rent, and check what is left under a few common debt-to-income limits.
- $7,836 a month: gross income for a household at the Matanuska-Susitna Borough median
- Median rent: $1,299, or 17 cents of every gross dollar
- Under a 36% cap, $2,821 total minus rent leaves $1,522
- 43% debt-to-income limit: $2,070 left for all other debt payments
Subtract what you already pay on other debts. A new payment should fit in what remains, with some to spare.
Who lives in Matanuska-Susitna Borough, in numbers
College graduates make up 24% of the adult population. About 12% go without health insurance.
| Matanuska-Susitna Borough | Alaska | U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 36.7 | 35.8 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 24.4% | 31.7% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 5.9% | 6.4% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 11.9% | 11.0% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 3.8% | 9.0% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 11.7% | 9.7% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 10.0% | 10.1% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 5.8% | 5.9% | 4.4% |
| One-way commute | Share of Matanuska-Susitna Borough workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 23.6% |
| 15 to 29 min | 30.9% |
| 30 to 44 min | 13.7% |
| 45 to 59 min | 12.8% |
| 60+ min | 19.1% |
Borrowing situations common in Matanuska-Susitna Borough
The county's numbers point to a few situations that come up often for Matanuska-Susitna Borough borrowers.
- Medical bills. 12% of Matanuska-Susitna Borough residents are uninsured. Before borrowing for care, ask the provider about financial assistance and payment plans.
- Commuter costs. 32% drive 45 minutes or more. Compare shop financing with a loan, and keep a small repair fund.
- Strong incomes, long terms. 47% of Matanuska-Susitna Borough households earn $100,000+. The risk is a term that outlasts the need.
- Tight rental budgets. With 53% of Matanuska-Susitna Borough renters cost-burdened, test a new payment against a lean month.
Lender oversight for Matanuska-Susitna Borough
Consumer lenders serving Matanuska-Susitna Borough are licensed by the state, not the county; in Alaska that is the Alaska Division of Banking and Securities. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau accepts complaints nationwide. The Alaska guide covers state rules in more detail.
Four steps for Matanuska-Susitna Borough borrowers
Four checks before you sign anything:
- Know the exact dollar figure you need before talking to a lender.
- Shop at least three lenders, including one Matanuska-Susitna Borough-area credit union.
- Confirm the lender is licensed in Alaska.
- Keep a small cushion so one surprise bill does not mean another loan.
Nearby and statewide guides
For statewide rules and data, see the Alaska guide.
Frequently asked questions
How much do households in Matanuska-Susitna Borough earn?
The median is $94,031; 47% earn $100,000 or more and 17% under $35,000. A lender uses your own documented income, not this figure.
What do renters pay in Matanuska-Susitna Borough?
$1,299 a month at the median, about 17% of median household income.
Should Matanuska-Susitna Borough homeowners use home equity instead?
Maybe, but weigh the risk: 77% of Matanuska-Susitna Borough homes are owner-occupied, and a home-equity loan or line is secured by the house while a personal loan usually is not.
I live in a small Matanuska-Susitna Borough town. Is this my guide?
Yes. If your town has no city guide, this county page is the local one; it covers Knik-Fairview, North Lakes, Wasilla, Tanaina, Meadow Lakes and 25 more.
Can Matanuska-Susitna Borough residents use the questionnaire?
Yes. It asks the same questions in every Alaska county, lists every requirement up front and does not affect your credit score.