Moving to Kotzebue?

- Wikipedia entry for Kotzebue -

- City-Data entry for Kotzebue -

- Reasons to live in the Arctic -

- Where is Kotzebue -

- Historical Weather Data for Kotzebue -

If you're thinking of moving/relocating to Kotzebue, and trying to calculate living expenses, here is a quick survey of some prices in the Summer of 2006 and Fall of 2007 to help you out. Prices may change without notice, and there are often bulk sales or discounts and web-specials to consider. Rises in US Postal Service rates affect prices greatly.

General Expenses Rents: $650-850 (efficiency); $1,100 to $1,500/Month (3 Bedroom) KEA Electric: $50-$300/month $0.245 per kwh w/Power Cost Equalization (would be $0.397 per kwh without PCE) Fuel/Stove Oil: $4.18 per gallon by drum ($4.10 per gallon at 85 gallons) City Water/Sewer: $138/month Flat per household Gasoline: $5.59/Gallon at Pumps OTZ Phone: $25.00/month + OTZ Internet DSL: $30-$65/Month GCI Cable: $60-$90/Month Post Office Box: Free (No street delivery) Cab Fare: $5.00 per person anywhere. $5.00 per stop. Discounts for Kids and Seniors. Flights: Anchorage (Alaska Airlines) $417 R/T 3 week advanced, $647 R/T Under 1 week notice Fairbanks (Frontier Flying Service) $417 R/T Cargo: $0.30-1.30/lb Fairbanks to Kotzebue; $0.25/lb Kotzebue to Fairbanks Barge in Summer: TBA General guess to bring your car/truck up: $1.00/lb ($2,000-$3,500) Check into Palletizing all your goods vs parcel post! Many people have 4 wheelers and snowmachines - but maintenance is expensive. There are, however, cabs and everywhere is really in walking distance.

Sample Food Prices Meats: 2006 Late 2007 Lean Ground Beef $3.39/lb $3.49/lb Johnsonville Brats 19oz $8.39 19oz $8.89 Chicken Thighs (Previously Frozen(4+lb size)) $2.99/lb $2.99/lb Hormel Canned Ham 3lb $13.49 $15.19 Oscar Meyer 9oz Variety lunchmeat $5.29 $5.39 Fruits & Vegetables: 2006 Late 2007 Bananas $1.79/lb $1.99/lb Oranges (Naval) $2.59/lb $2.69/lb Carrots 2 lb bag $4.29 $4.59 Delicious Apples $2.59/lb $2.99/lb Iceberg Lettuce $2.79/lb $2.69/lb Red Bell Pepper (Each) $3.99 $2.49 Potatoes 5lb bag $5.99 $6.99 Potatoes Russet 8lb bag - $10.99 Beverages: 2006 Late 2007 Milk Whole Gallon $7.49 $8.99 Gatorade 32oz $3.75 $4.45 Minute Maid Orange Juice 96oz $11.55 $12.85 Kool-Aid Drink mix 34qt $12.45 $13.15 Tang Drink Mix 20qt $11.99 $12.49 Name Brand Soda 12pk Cans $9.75 $10.65 Store Brand Soda 12pk Cans - $5.99 Canned Goods: 2006 Late 2007 Bartlett Pear Halves Canned (Store brand) 15.25oz $2.75 $3.19 Bushes Baked Beans 28oz Can $3.89 $4.55 Whole Kernel Corn (Store brand) 15.25oz can $2.25 $2.09 Sliced Mushrooms Can 4oz $2.09 $1.39 Del Monte Peas 15.25oz can $2.45 $2.19 Nally Chili 15oz can $2.99 $3.79 Hormel Corned Beef 12oz Can $3.75 $3.85 Prego Sauce 26oz Jar $4.99 $5.85 Hunts Whole Tomatoes 14.5oz Can $2.65 $2.89 Hunts Tomato Paste 6oz Can $1.35 $1.55 Crushed Tomatoes 28oz Can (Store Brand) $3.89 $3.89 Bread/Pasta/Rice: 2006 Late 2007 Oroweat Bread 1 Loaf $4.85 $5.35 Store White or Wheat loaf $1.95 $2.29 Mission Large Flour Tortillas 20oz $4.99 $5.49 Golden Grain Spaghetti 1 lb $2.55 $2.85 Angel Hair pasta 24oz $3.35 $3.99 Niko Niko Calrose Rice 10lb bag $12.99 $15.49 Soup: 2006 Late 2007 Campbell's Beef Broth 10.5oz $2.25 $2.35 Campbell's Cream of Mushroom 10.75oz $1.79 $2.85 Kalstags Cream of Mushroom 10.75oz - $1.75 Campbell's Chunk Soup (any flavor) 18.8oz $4.75 $5.69 Other: 2006 Late 2007 Tillimook Baby Loaf 2lb Medium Cheddar $11.49 $12.49 Kraft Salad dressing 16oz any flavor $4.99 $5.45 Jif Peanut Butter 40oz $7.95 $8.49 Welch's Grape Jelly 32oz $5.29 -- Smuckers Strawberry Jam ?oz - 7.69 Pace Med Salsa 24oz $6.99 7.29 Heinz Ketchup 64oz $7.49 $9.49 Quaker Oatmeal Flavor Variety 55 packet Box $16.99 - Betty Crocker German Chocolate Cake mix 18.5oz - $3.99 Cake Fosting 16oz - $3.85 Marlboro Box - Carton - $62.75 These are local prices before 6% Sales Tax (yes, on food too). There are, of course, sales and mark-downs. Other options are available for many goods via mail-order, internet, shopping services, etc. which may yield significant savings.