Yes the high cost of living was very apparent when I visited.
I said I’d consider living there. Not that I would. As you pointed out the cost of living and employment environment would be a negative in an analysis of living in Alaska. On my business trip much of Alaska’s employment appeared to be of a seasonal low pay variety or a very short work season dictated by the weather.
Also Alaska would be even more prohibitively expensive and a “taker” not “maker” state if it weren’t for the pipeline. Before TAPS Alaska had the highest tax rates in the nation and one of the highest government dependency populations in the nation. After TAPS over 80% of Alaska revenue comes from the oil industry.
Tourism, oil, government and military bases are, from my unscientific observation, the main industries in Alaska. Very cyclical or entrenched industries that do not spawn very high paying ancillary industries. One could also say cargo transit since the Anchorage airport is a major connection point for shipments to and from the US and Asia.
So Alaska is a breath taking state from natural beauty, but for practicality it is a place to visit and not live, especially given the current economy.
You are one of the few who has seen the reality of Alaska.
Without the oil money, this place will soon become a ghost town, the likes of which are so often seen in the Old Soviet.
Well over 50% of the population works for a tax-funded entity. Once the oil money stops, real estate will be a “bargain”...