By SUZANNE DOWNING
Maybe it’s “Dry January” in your household, but in general, Alaskans spent more on alcohol in 2024 than adults in any other state, according to new nationwide spending data compiled by Visual Capitalist analyst Bruno Venditti.
On average, each adult in Alaska spent $1,249.76 on alcohol, putting the state at the very top of the rankings by a long shot. That’s more than the average Permanent Fund dividend.
The figure places Alaska ahead of Wyoming ($1,237.84) and Colorado ($1,202.45), the only other states where adult alcohol spending exceeded $1,200 last year. The national average was $897.57, meaning Alaskans spent roughly 40 percent more than the typical American adult on alcohol in 2024.
The data measures alcohol spending per adult rather than total volume, which makes Alaska’s result especially striking. With one of the smallest populations in the country, Alaska still outpaced every state in per-person alcohol purchases.
Several factors help explain the state’s boozy position. Alaska’s isolation and high transportation costs drive up prices for beer, wine, and spirits.
A six-pack or bottle that might be inexpensive in Seattle or Denver often costs significantly more once it reaches Alaska, particularly in rural communities that rely on barge or air freight. Higher prices alone inflate the total amount people spend, even if they are not drinking more than residents elsewhere.
Geography and climate also play a role. Long, dark winters, extreme cold, and geographic isolation are associated with higher rates of seasonal depression and social isolation, both of which are linked to increased alcohol use. Alaska also has some of the highest rates of substance-abuse and behavioral-health challenges in the country.
At the opposite end of the rankings, Utah reported the lowest alcohol spending per adult at $606.42, less than half of Alaska’s total. Utah’s large religious population, strict alcohol regulations, and cultural norms sharply reduce both consumption and spending.
Several Southern and Midwestern states also fell near the bottom, including West Virginia, Mississippi, Tennessee, and Oklahoma. Those states tend to have less disposable incomes, tighter alcohol regulations and blue laws, and cultural attitudes that discourage heavy drinking.
7 thoughts on “Dry January? Alaska leads the nation in alcohol spending, topping $1,200 per adult annually”
I’ll “pop-a-top” and “tilt-one-back” to that … Cheers!
The amount of Alcohol and weed consumption Alaskans spends on it, its why if you are a True Christian it’s why you truly feel you are alone in this state
This report is Another reason to why I say Alaska is not a Christian state. The people and those people we elect do not know God.
If we really did know the Word of God. We wouldn’t be facing as many problems as Alaska faces today like people self medicating using alcohol. Don’t let all the churches Anchorage has fool you that we are Christian city. The organizations were attracted to Alaska for the same reason as workers were attracted to Alaska: For money that flows up here.
Sometimes I thought about going to work in one of the liquor stores Eventhough I don’t drink just to sneakingly slip Christian tracts around the store
94% of what AST does is take care of alcohol related problems. Half of what police and fire do is deal with alcohol related problems. Alcohol taxes should pay for the problems it creates. Anchorage collects 16 million in alcohol taxes, but costs the city 120 million a year to deal with the fallout. If somebody had business cost the City of Anchorage over a 100 million a year, surely they would get sued, but alcohol gets a pass.
Math does not enter the minds of Anchorage ASSembley members when it makes decisions especially since it is only tax dollars being “pissed away” after every drink. Mad Myrna’s after party on ASSembly night meetings are a real money maker for them as well as “fringe benefits”.
rookie numbers,dermutt needs to step up his game
Good malt and rye whisky is expensive. I really do not drink that much but when I do, it is the good stuff.
Dang, I think I missed out by not contributing my fair share to those numbers. I suppose I can always try to bring mine up in 2026.