Palmer

Palmer, Alaska Overview

Palmer ranks #1 of 20 cities in Alaska, earning a B+ grade with a composite score of 60.0/100. The city stands out in Outdoor Access (100/100) and Safety (84/100), placing it among the state’s strongest performers across the metrics we track.

Income & Employment in Palmer

Palmer’s median income of $70,550 is 16% below the state median, but positive population growth of 4% signals that affordability or other factors are still attracting residents.

Safety in Palmer

At 200.1 violent crimes per 100,000 residents, Palmer sits meaningfully below the Alaska average of 724 — a 262% lower gap. The property crime rate is 1354.5 per 100,000.

Cost of Living in Palmer

The median home value is $275,900. Median monthly rent is $1,134. Renters spend 19.3% of income on rent, well within the 30% affordability guideline.

Health & Wellness in Palmer

The adult obesity rate in Palmer is 36.5%, above the national average and a factor in the city’s health profile. The diabetes prevalence rate is 8.6%. Residents report an average of 16.6 poor mental health days per month, above the typical range. Alaska ranks #30 nationally for overall health.

Education & Schools in Palmer

Palmer has a high school graduation rate of 86%. The student-teacher ratio is 18:1. Per-pupil spending is $15,575. The city has 12 public schools serving 5,429 students. School data is sourced from the NCES Common Core of Data and EDFacts.

Climate & Commute in Palmer

Winters in Palmer are cold, averaging 20.8°F. Summers average 58.1°F. Winters average 20.8°F. Annual precipitation is 41.2 inches. The mean commute time is 23.9 minutes, compared to 17.7 for Alaska overall.

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