Worst ZIP Codes for Homebuyers in Alaska — 2026

Out of 272 ZIP codes with data in Alaska, these are the highest-ranked areas for purchase risk. See also: National Worst ZIP Codes for Homebuyers — Hidden Risk Factors | All Alaska Rankings

Statistic	Value
ZIP codes ranked	272
Highest value	68/100
Median value	43/100
State	Alaska

Top 100 Worst ZIP Codes

Rank	ZIP Code	City	State	Purchase Risk	Safety Score
1	99741	Galena	AK	68/100	67/100
2	99922	Hydaburg	AK	67/100	77/100
3	99820	Angoon	AK	66/100	69/100
4	99836	Port Alexander	AK	66/100	83/100
5	99643	Old Harbor	AK	63/100	43/100
6	99662	Scammon Bay	AK	61/100	68/100
7	99677	Tatitlek	AK	61/100	22/100
8	99714	Salcha	AK	61/100	72/100
9	99830	Kake	AK	61/100	39/100
10	99772	Shishmaref	AK	60/100	88/100
11	99550	Port Lions	AK	59/100	83/100
12	99620	Kotlik	AK	58/100	62/100
13	99546	Adak	AK	57/100	62/100
14	99604	Hooper Bay	AK	57/100	84/100
15	99668	Sleetmute	AK	57/100	79/100
16	99778	Teller	AK	57/100	80/100
17	99581	Emmonak	AK	56/100	67/100
18	99664	Seward	AK	56/100	66/100
19	99739	Elim	AK	56/100	88/100
20	99742	Gambell	AK	56/100	93/100
21	99751	Kobuk	AK	56/100	74/100
22	99783	Wales	AK	56/100	75/100
23	99788	Chalkyitsik	AK	56/100	64/100
24	99621	Kwethluk	AK	55/100	70/100
25	99640	Nondalton	AK	55/100	87/100
26	99658	Saint Marys	AK	55/100	75/100
27	99661	Sand Point	AK	55/100	92/100
28	99918	Coffman Cove	AK	55/100	66/100
29	99554	Alakanuk	AK	54/100	82/100
30	99641	Nunapitchuk	AK	54/100	95/100
31	99736	Deering	AK	54/100	66/100
32	99770	Selawik	AK	54/100	70/100
33	99628	Manokotak	AK	53/100	89/100
34	99634	Napakiak	AK	53/100	95/100
35	99655	Quinhagak	AK	53/100	85/100
36	99666	Nunam Iqua	AK	53/100	55/100
37	99727	Buckland	AK	53/100	66/100
38	99777	Tanana	AK	53/100	72/100
39	99553	Akutan	AK	52/100	98/100
40	99569	Clarks Point	AK	52/100	80/100
41	99624	Larsen Bay	AK	52/100	98/100
42	99690	Nightmute	AK	52/100	73/100
43	99748	Kaltag	AK	52/100	92/100
44	99752	Kotzebue	AK	52/100	59/100
45	99925	Klawock	AK	52/100	55/100
46	99650	Pilot Station	AK	51/100	75/100
47	99670	South Naknek	AK	51/100	98/100
48	99701	Fairbanks	AK	51/100	68/100
49	99753	Koyuk	AK	51/100	93/100
50	99901	Ketchikan	AK	51/100	65/100
51	99919	Thorne Bay	AK	51/100	54/100
52	99929	Wrangell	AK	51/100	84/100
53	99950	Ketchikan	AK	51/100	67/100
54	99630	Mekoryuk	AK	50/100	98/100
55	99632	Mountain Village	AK	50/100	83/100
56	99644	Ouzinkie	AK	50/100	97/100
57	99681	Tununak	AK	50/100	97/100
58	99684	Unalakleet	AK	50/100	36/100
59	99738	Eagle	AK	50/100	71/100
60	99750	Kivalina	AK	50/100	66/100
61	99771	Shaktoolik	AK	50/100	88/100
62	99775	Fairbanks	AK	50/100	77/100
63	99585	Marshall	AK	49/100	83/100
64	99663	Seldovia	AK	49/100	72/100
65	99680	Tuntutuliak	AK	49/100	97/100
66	99754	Koyukuk	AK	49/100	79/100
67	99763	Noorvik	AK	49/100	94/100
68	99501	Anchorage	AK	48/100	70/100
69	99561	Chefornak	AK	48/100	97/100
70	99589	Goodnews Bay	AK	48/100	81/100
71	99635	Nikiski	AK	48/100	82/100
72	99706	Fairbanks	AK	48/100	77/100
73	99709	Fairbanks	AK	48/100	68/100
74	99720	Allakaket	AK	48/100	94/100
75	99758	Minto	AK	48/100	92/100
76	99768	Ruby	AK	48/100	74/100
77	99773	Shungnak	AK	48/100	95/100
78	99786	Ambler	AK	48/100	95/100
79	99503	Anchorage	AK	47/100	70/100
80	99508	Anchorage	AK	47/100	65/100
81	99545	Kongiganak	AK	47/100	94/100
82	99558	Anvik	AK	47/100	94/100
83	99559	Bethel	AK	47/100	81/100
84	99611	Kenai	AK	47/100	79/100
85	99667	Skwentna	AK	47/100	60/100
86	99672	Sterling	AK	47/100	70/100
87	99722	Arctic Village	AK	47/100	81/100
88	99740	Fort Yukon	AK	47/100	81/100
89	99745	Hughes	AK	47/100	92/100
90	99762	Nome	AK	47/100	84/100
91	99765	Nulato	AK	47/100	98/100
92	99781	Venetie	AK	47/100	97/100
93	99827	Haines	AK	47/100	94/100
94	99578	Eek	AK	46/100	98/100
95	99609	Kasigluk	AK	46/100	95/100
96	99629	Wasilla	AK	46/100	73/100
97	99657	Russian Mission	AK	46/100	87/100
98	99659	Saint Michael	AK	46/100	97/100
99	99669	Soldotna	AK	46/100	53/100
100	99682	Tyonek	AK	46/100	78/100

Methodology

The Home Purchase Risk Score combines environmental hazards that create unexpected costs for homebuyers: water system violations requiring filtration, lead service lines requiring replacement, radon requiring mitigation systems, flood zones requiring insurance, and aging infrastructure requiring upgrades. These are factors that standard home inspections may not fully capture.

Data sources: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS), FEMA National Flood Insurance Program, EPA radon zone maps, EIA electricity rates, and Consumer Confidence Reports. Last updated: 2026-06-04.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Home Purchase Risk Score?

This score (0-100) estimates the hidden environmental costs a homebuyer may face: water filtration needs, lead pipe replacement, radon mitigation, flood insurance, and infrastructure upgrades. Higher scores mean more potential unexpected expenses after purchase.

What should homebuyers do in high-risk ZIP codes?

Request a water quality test, check for lead service lines with the utility, test for radon before closing, verify FEMA flood zone designation, and factor in potential remediation costs ($5,000-$30,000+) to your budget.