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These Are The 10 Stressed Places In Alaska

By Chris Kolmar
Aug. 13, 2016
Last Modified and Fact Checked on: Feb. 6, 2026

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Top 10 Stressed Places in Alaska: A 2026 Perspective
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Starting a new job can often bring a sense of stress, but in 2026, residents of certain areas in Alaska face challenges that extend beyond just their first day at work. Factors like prolonged commutes, increased work hours, and the ongoing search for employment significantly contribute to higher stress levels. So, which locations in Alaska are the most affected by these stressors?

According to our findings, Houston has earned the title of the most stressed place in Alaska, leading a list of 10 locations facing heightened stress levels:

  1. Houston
  2. Meadow Lakes
  3. Palmer
  4. Tanaina
  5. Knik-Fairview
  6. Wasilla
  7. Soldotna
  8. Anchor Point
  9. Lakes
  10. Fairbanks

Continue reading to discover why these Alaskan towns might benefit from some stress relief.

For additional insights into job opportunities in Alaska, check out:

How We Measured Stress in Alaska

To gauge stress levels, we applied a set of six criteria that reflect typical stressors affecting residents. This analysis focused on the 47 locations in Alaska with populations over 2,000, utilizing data from the latest U.S. Census and American Community Survey:

  1. Percentage of the population with a long commute (over 30 minutes)
  2. Unemployment Rate
  3. Average hours worked
  4. Population density
  5. Percentage of income allocated to rent
  6. Percentage of the population without health insurance

A higher score in any of these categories indicates greater stress levels. Each location was ranked from 1 to 47 (with 1 being the most stressed), and these ranks were averaged to create an overall Stress Score, where a lower score reflects higher stress.

Below, we present the stress statistics for each of the top 10 most stressed places, followed by a comprehensive ranking of all 47 analyzed locations.

1. Houston

Population: 2,058 People With High Rent: 46.8%
People With Long Commute: 49.1%
People Without Insurance: 22.1%

2. Meadow Lakes

Population: 7,139 People With High Rent: 53.5%
People With Long Commute: 34.9%
People Without Insurance: 22.6%

3. Palmer

Population: 6,250 People With High Rent: 51.1%
People With Long Commute: 40.0%
People Without Insurance: 18.8%

4. Tanaina

Population: 9,391 People With High Rent: 50.6%
People With Long Commute: 43.5%
People Without Insurance: 19.5%

5. Knik-Fairview

Population: 15,797 People With High Rent: 40.7%
People With Long Commute: 55.4%
People Without Insurance: 18.1%

6. Wasilla

Population: 8,406 People With High Rent: 48.7%
People With Long Commute: 37.5%
People Without Insurance: 18.5%

7. Soldotna

Population: 4,345 People With High Rent: 43.8%
People With Long Commute: 14.3%
People Without Insurance: 18.1%

8. Anchor Point

Population: 2,189 People With High Rent: 47.2%
People With Long Commute: 34.1%
People Without Insurance: 25.3%

9. Lakes

Population: 9,345 People With High Rent: 37.2%
People With Long Commute: 39.8%
People Without Insurance: 16.8%

10. Fairbanks

Population: 32,100 People With High Rent: 55.9%
People With Long Commute: 5.5%
People Without Insurance: 15.5%

Detailed List of Stressed Places in Alaska

City Rank Population People With High Rent People With Long Commute People Without Insurance
Houston 1 2,058 46.8% 49.1% 22.1%
Meadow Lakes 2 7,139 53.5% 34.9% 22.6%
Palmer 3 6,250 51.1% 40.0% 18.8%
Tanaina 4 9,391 50.6% 43.5% 19.5%
Knik-Fairview 5 15,797 40.7% 55.4% 18.1%
Wasilla 6 8,406 48.7% 37.5% 18.5%
Soldotna 7 4,345 43.8% 14.3% 18.1%
Anchor Point 8 2,189 47.2% 34.1% 25.3%
Lakes 9 9,345 37.2% 39.8% 16.8%
Fairbanks 10 32,100 55.9% 5.5% 15.5%
Ketchikan 11 8,173 45.0% 4.5% 22.5%
Kenai 12 7,348 37.4% 5.4% 24.0%
Badger 13 21,175 52.7% 26.9% 15.2%
Homer 14 5,229 49.6% 5.0% 23.9%
Sterling 15 5,748 50.2% 18.7% 16.7%
Butte 16 3,544 37.3% 53.4% 20.4%
Kodiak 17 6,280 44.1% 3.6% 28.0%
Big Lake 18 3,959 35.2% 47.9% 19.3%
Seward 19 2,646 39.5% 4.0% 21.0%
Nome 20 3,745 33.7% 0.8% 23.1%
Kalifornsky 21 7,806 30.9% 19.6% 17.0%
Bear Creek 22 2,399 24.3% 10.7% 23.7%
Kotzebue 23 3,273 20.8% 2.3% 27.3%
Anchorage 24 298,178 44.9% 17.0% 16.3%
Barrow 25 4,296 18.0% 0.2% 30.7%
Ridgeway 26 2,128 22.2% 14.5% 15.5%
Dillingham 27 2,255 31.9% 4.4% 22.7%
North Pole 28 2,153 43.5% 23.0% 8.7%
Nikiski 29 4,536 20.5% 29.3% 19.5%
College 30 14,568 36.9% 10.6% 14.7%
Gateway 31 5,367 36.7% 38.4% 13.1%
Cordova 32 2,637 31.3% 1.7% 30.8%
Chena Ridge 33 5,671 42.6% 26.9% 13.4%
Fishhook 34 5,015 23.3% 37.4% 19.5%
Bethel 35 6,295 30.0% 3.8% 17.5%
Steele Creek 36 6,180 47.3% 15.7% 14.7%
Wrangell 37 2,383 44.5% 2.9% 21.3%
Sitka 38 8,957 44.2% 6.9% 19.7%
Valdez 39 4,002 33.3% 3.5% 13.6%
Eielson AFB 40 2,647 41.2% 9.5% 3.1%
Unalaska 41 4,536 19.6% 0.0% 23.3%
Ester 42 2,653 12.2% 28.7% 14.1%
Farmers Loop 43 4,062 21.6% 9.1% 12.6%
Goldstream 44 3,910 21.5% 32.5% 15.1%
Juneau 45 32,200 40.1% 7.6% 16.2%
Deltana 46 2,122 34.0% 6.8% 16.3%
Prudhoe Bay 47 2,570 0.0% 2.1% 10.3%

In conclusion, understanding the stress levels in different Alaskan communities is crucial for addressing the challenges residents face. By recognizing these stressors, local governments, businesses, and communities can work together to implement solutions that foster a healthier work-life balance and improve overall well-being.

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Author

Chris Kolmar

Chris Kolmar is a co-founder of Zippia and the editor-in-chief of the Zippia career advice blog. He has hired over 50 people in his career, been hired five times, and wants to help you land your next job. His research has been featured on the New York Times, Thrillist, VOX, The Atlantic, and a host of local news. More recently, he's been quoted on USA Today, BusinessInsider, and CNBC.

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