What an Acre of Alaska Land Is Worth in 2026

Alaska land values don’t follow a single statewide “price per acre.” They shift dramatically based on road access, proximity to jobs and services, zoning, utilities, water frontage, and development potential. Today’s buyers also benchmark land against the cost of housing—because when homes appreciate, buildable lots and small-acreage tracts near growth corridors often rise in tandem.

For context, Alaska’s housing market remains expensive compared to many Lower 48 rural areas. The average home value is $377,398, up 3.6% over the past year (data through December 31, 2025), according to the Zillow Home Value Index. Alaska’s median home sale price hit $402,200 in September 2025, up 3.8% year-over-year, according to Redfin. Separate statewide reporting also places the median home price at $406,700 in 2026 (up 0.1% year-over-year) per Houzeo. On the pricing side, Alaska’s home price per square foot reached $254.8, according to HousingWire. These housing metrics matter because buildable land near population centers typically competes with “buy vs. build” decisions.

Key benchmarks: what an acre is “worth” in Alaska right now

If you want a fast, data-backed starting point, use regional land-market medians and then adjust for access, utilities, and zoning.

• Southcentral Alaska (regional benchmark): The median price per acre is $10,395, according to Land.com.
• Southcentral Alaska (market depth): Land listed for sale in the Southcentral region totals roughly $685 million across nearly 12,000 acres, according to Land.com.
• Typical listing profile in Southcentral: Listings average 45 acres and are priced around $669,780, according to Land.com.

Those figures highlight an important reality: Alaska often trades in larger tracts than many states. A “per acre” number can be useful, but total price, access, and utility costs can matter more than acreage alone.

Overview of the Alaskan land market (what actually drives price)

Alaska land tends to be more affordable in remote regions because roads, utilities, and year-round services can be limited. At the same time, demand stays strong for recreational parcels (waterfront, views, hunting/fishing access) and for buildable lots near employment hubs—especially in Southcentral and along the road system.

In practice, Alaska acreage values are shaped by:

• Location and access: Road frontage, winter access, proximity to Anchorage/Wasilla/Fairbanks, and distance to services.
• Utilities and buildability: Power, natural gas, septic feasibility, drainage, and soil conditions.
• Views and frontage: Ocean, lake, river, and mountain views typically command premiums.
• Zoning and intended use: Recreational, residential, commercial, and agricultural uses price differently.
• Resource potential: Timber value, gravel, and (where applicable) mineral rights and permitting realities.

Remote wilderness land: low per-acre prices, higher real-world costs

In areas without road access or infrastructure, large wilderness tracts can sell for comparatively low prices per acre. However, “cheap” land can become expensive when you factor in transportation (air/boat), off-grid power, seasonal access, building logistics, and long-term stewardship.

Remote parcels most often appeal to buyers who want hunting access, privacy, a rustic cabin site, or long-term land ownership rather than near-term development.

Rural and agricultural land: road access changes everything

Once a property has dependable road access, per-acre values usually climb because buyers can finance improvements, bring in equipment, and use the land more reliably year-round. Agricultural acreage can also command a premium where soils, drainage, and clearing make small-scale farming feasible.

Southcentral Alaska frequently sits at the center of this demand because it combines population growth with comparatively accessible land inventory. Use the Southcentral median as a reference point—$10,395 per acre—then adjust based on road quality, clearing, and utilities, per Land.com.

Recreational land: water, views, and drive-time create the premium

Recreational land pricing in Alaska often hinges on a simple equation: scenery + access. Waterfront and view parcels within a reasonable drive of Anchorage, the Mat-Su, Fairbanks, or Kenai communities can command a strong premium because they serve multiple uses—personal recreation, seasonal rentals, and long-term hold potential.

Southcentral listing data supports that premium market activity at scale: roughly $685 million in land is listed across nearly 12,000 acres, with listings averaging 45 acres and priced around $669,780, according to Land.com. That combination of high total market value and large average parcel size often reflects recreational and hybrid-use tracts rather than small urban lots.

Residential and commercial land near growth corridors

Buildable land near established infrastructure can trade at a completely different level than remote acreage—especially where utilities are available and demand for housing remains steady.

The Mat-Su region is a clear example. In Matanuska-Susitna Borough, the average one-acre lot with power and natural gas sells for between $80,000 and $100,000 in 2024, according to Alaska Business Magazine. New construction also signals ongoing demand for buildable inventory: 768 single-family homes were constructed in 2024, the most since 799 in 2018, per Alaska Business Magazine.

When housing prices hold or rise, buildable lots and small acreage near jobs and utilities often follow. Alaska’s broader housing metrics—$402,200 median sale price in September 2025 (up 3.8% year-over-year) per Redfin, $377,398 average home value (up 3.6% through December 31, 2025) per Zillow Home Value Index, and $254.8 price per square foot per HousingWire—help explain why “close-in” land can stay expensive even when remote acreage looks inexpensive on paper.

How to estimate the value of your Alaska land (a practical approach)

To estimate what your land is worth, start with the best available comps and then apply adjustments for access and utility cost. A solid workflow looks like this:

• Anchor your region: If you’re in Southcentral, compare against the median $10,395 per acre and current listing conditions (average 45-acre lots priced around $669,780), using Land.com as a market snapshot.
• Pull true comparable sales: Look for recent closed sales that match your access type (road vs. off-grid), terrain, waterfront status, and zoning.
• Price “buildability,” not just acreage: Power, natural gas, driveway/culvert work, wetlands, and septic feasibility can swing value more than the raw acre count.
• Cross-check against housing: In buildable areas, keep an eye on local home demand and pricing. Statewide indicators include a $406,700 median home price in 2026 (up 0.1% year-over-year) per Houzeo, and a $402,200 median sale price in September 2025 per Redfin.

Challenges of selling vacant land in Alaska

Selling land is not the same as selling a home. Vacant parcels often take longer to sell because fewer buyers can evaluate access, permitting, utility costs, and seasonality with confidence. Common friction points include:

• Longer timelines: Land typically attracts a smaller buyer pool than move-in-ready housing.
• Upfront prep costs: Surveys, title work, clearing, access improvements, and marketing can add up fast.
• Pricing volatility by micro-market: A one-acre lot with utilities in Mat-Su can trade in the $80,000–$100,000 range, while remote acreage may be valued primarily for recreation—two entirely different markets, per Alaska Business Magazine.
• Marketing complexity: Buyers often need maps, access notes, seasonal photos, and clear disclosures about utilities and easements.

Alternatives to listing on the open market

If you want speed and simplicity over maximizing retail price, selling directly to a land-buying company can reduce uncertainty. Direct buyers typically purchase as-is and can close without the showings, long marketing cycles, or many of the prep costs that come with traditional listings—especially for remote parcels where access and due diligence can be more complex.

Frequently asked questions

What’s a reliable per-acre number for Southcentral Alaska?

The median price per acre in Southcentral Alaska is $10,395, according to Land.com. Use it as a baseline, then adjust for road access, utilities, and waterfront or view premiums.

How active is the Southcentral Alaska land market?

Southcentral land listed for sale totals roughly $685 million across nearly 12,000 acres, according to Land.com. Listings also average 45 acres and are priced around $669,780, per Land.com.

Why are one-acre lots near Anchorage and the Mat-Su so expensive compared to remote acreage?

Utilities and housing demand drive the difference. In Matanuska-Susitna Borough, the average one-acre lot with power and natural gas sells for $80,000 to $100,000 in 2024, according to Alaska Business Magazine. At the same time, Alaska home prices remain high—$402,200 median sale price in September 2025 per Redfin—which supports demand for buildable land close to jobs and services.

Does new construction in the Mat-Su affect land values?

Yes. In Matanuska-Susitna Borough, 768 single-family homes were constructed in 2024 (the most since 799 in 2018), according to Alaska Business Magazine. More building activity often increases competition for lots with utilities and reasonable access.

How do Alaska home values relate to what land is worth?

Homes set a “buy vs. build” ceiling in many markets. Alaska’s average home value is $377,398 (up 3.6% through December 31, 2025) per Zillow Home Value Index, the median home price is $406,700 in 2026 (up 0.1% year-over-year) per Houzeo, and the price per square foot reached $254.8 per HousingWire. When those numbers rise, buildable lots and small-acreage tracts near infrastructure often stay priced at a premium.