Alaska is by far the largest state in the USA. The state is so expansive that other large states like Texas and California look tiny in comparison. As you would expect from such a massive state, living conditions in Alaska are anything but homogeneous. Anchorage, the state's largest metropolitan area, and Juneau, the state capital, offer a typical mix of urban and suburban life. Regardless, living in Anchorage or Juneau is somewhat similar to living in similar sized cities in the lower 48. Alaska also offers small-town living in cities like Soldotna and Kenai, as well as vast areas of rural living.
The amount of money you need to live in Alaska depends largely on which of the state's myriad lifestyle options you choose to. Even among similar cities, towns and villages, the sheer size of the state leads to wide discrepancies in the cost of living. Averages help clarify the picture a bit, but chances are significant adjustments will need to be made to these averages based on your unique circumstances and especially where you are planting roots in Alaska.