Everything You Should Know Before Moving to Gambell, AK
Considering a move to Gambell, AK? This remote Alaska Native community of about 650 offers affordable housing, with median home values around $85,000 and rents near $650. Expect a high cost of groceries and utilities due to its isolated location, but low property taxes. The climate is Arctic, with cold winters and cool summers, and the town boasts a tight-knit, culturally rich population. While crime and poverty rates are higher than average, commutes are short, and the local school provides small class sizes for students.
Demographics - Gambell, AK
Demographics - Gambell, AK
Gambell is a small city of roughly 650 residents, where the vast majority are Alaska Native (primarily Siberian Yupik) and 85% speak a language other than English at home. The community has a youthful median age of 26.8 and a slightly higher male-to-female ratio, offering a unique cultural environment for newcomers.
Population:
650
Density:
180 per sq mi
Median Age:
26.8
Gender Ratio:
104 males per 100 females
Non-English Speakers Percentage:
85%
Ethnic Composition
White:
1.5%
Black:
0.0%
Asian:
0.2%
Others:
98.3% (Primarily Alaska Native - Siberian Yupik)
Cost Of Living
What is the average cost of living in Gambell, AK?
While housing in Gambell is affordable with median home values around $85,000 and average rents at $650, overall living expenses are high due to elevated costs for groceries, utilities, and transportation. The state has no income tax, but the cost of living index is 28% above the national average, reflecting its remote setting.
Median House Value:
$85,000
Gross Rent:
$650
Monthly Electricity Charges:
$180
Auto Insurance:
$1,350
House Owner Cost With Mortgage:
$950
House Owner Cost Without Mortgage:
$350
State Taxes:
Low:
0.0%
|
High:
0.0%
Cost Of Living Index:
128.0
Grocery:
145.0
Housing:
70.0
Utilities:
170.0
Transportation:
160.0
Health Care:
135.0
Miscellaneous:
120.0
Crime
Is Gambell, AK a safe place to live?
Crime rates in Gambell are higher than the national average, with a chance of property crime at 1 in 83 and violent crime at 1 in 208. Residents should be aware of these risks when considering safety and security in the area.
Violent Crimes Per 100k:
480
Property Crimes Per 100k:
1,200
Crime Index:
1,680
Chance Of Violent Crime:
1 in 208
Chance Of Property Crime:
1 in 83
Weather
What is the weather like in Gambell, AK year-round?
Gambell experiences a harsh Arctic climate, with long, cold winters where temperatures often dip below zero and summers rarely exceed 52°F. Most of the annual 13 inches of precipitation falls as snow, and only about 35% of days are sunny.
Winter
Min:
-10°F
Max:
8°F
Spring
Min:
10°F
Max:
30°F
Summer
Min:
37°F
Max:
52°F
Fall
Min:
15°F
Max:
35°F
Average Rainfall Inches:
13 inches (mostly as snow)
Sunny Days Percentage:
35%
Neighbors
Households in Gambell have a median income of $38,500, and nearly a third of residents live below the poverty line. The community is close-knit with very short average commutes of 5 minutes and a high unemployment rate of 14.5%.
Median Income:
$31,000
Household Income:
$38,500
Family Income:
$40,000
Per Capita Income:
$11,000
Income Male:
$27,000
Income Female:
$25,000
Poverty Rate:
29.0%
Non English Speakers:
85%
Rent:
$650
Unemployment Rate:
14.5%
Public Transport Usage:
0.0%
Commute Time:
5 minutes
Education
High School or Higher:
71.0%
Bachelors or More:
4.2%
Education
How are the schools in Gambell, AK?
Education in Gambell is centered on its public school, which offers small class sizes and serves about 175 students, while higher education opportunities are accessible via the University of Alaska Fairbanks’ Northwest Campus in Nome, approximately 200 miles away.
Public Schools
Name:
Gambell School
Street:
School Road
Phone:
907-985-5627
Students:
175
Student Teacher Ratio:
10.5
Colleges
Name:
University of Alaska Fairbanks - Northwest Campus
City:
Nome
State:
AK
Distance:
200 miles
Students:
600
Healthcare
Healthcare access in Gambell includes a local health clinic and the regional hospital in Nome, with about 1.2 physicians per 1,000 residents and 85% having health insurance coverage. Emergency services are available locally, supporting the community’s healthcare needs despite its remote location.
Major Hospitals
Name:
Norton Sound Regional Hospital
Address:
1000 Greg Kruschek Ave, Nome, AK 99762
Phone:
(907) 443-3311
Type:
Regional Hospital
Emergency Services:
Yes
Name:
Gambell Health Clinic
Address:
Main Street, Gambell, AK 99742
Phone:
(907) 985-5312
Type:
Local Health Clinic
Emergency Services:
Yes
Physicians Per 1000:
1.2
Health Insurance Coverage:
85.0%
Health Care Index:
62.0
Housing Market
What is the housing market like in Gambell, AK?
Gambell’s housing market features low median home prices at $85,000 and average rents of $650, with a high owner-occupancy rate of 82%. The market is stable with minimal new construction and low foreclosure rates, making it suitable for those seeking affordable, long-term housing.
Median Home Price:
$85,000
Average Rent For 2 Bedroom:
$650
Owner Occupied Rate:
82.0%
Rental Vacancy Rate:
3.5%
Home Appreciation Rate (1yr):
2.1%
New Construction Rate:
0.5%
Foreclosure Rate:
0.2%
DMV Information
Vehicle and licensing services for Gambell residents are handled by the Alaska Division of Motor Vehicles, with the nearest main office located in Anchorage. Information and forms are available online for convenience.
State:
Alaska
Department:
Alaska Division of Motor Vehicles
Address:
2900 E. Tudor Road, Anchorage, AK 99507
Phone:
1-855-269-5551
Website:
Disclaimer: The information provided on this page is based on publicly available sources including AccuWeather, U.S. Census Bureau, local government data, and third-party partners such as Neustar. While we strive to ensure accuracy, all data is provided “as is” and should be independently verified before making any decisions. Movers.com makes no guarantees regarding the completeness or reliability of the information.