Why Live in Butte
Surrounded by towering peaks, Butte is known for its outdoor recreation opportunities and small-town lifestyle. The neighborhood is part of the Matanuska-Susitna Borough, located west of Palmer and Wasilla, with Anchorage being a longer commute for many residents. Homebuyers can choose from established homes and new construction properties, including ranch-style, Craftsman and cabin houses, with a median build year of 2013. The area features spacious lots that often have private wells and septic systems. The highly rated schools in the Matanuska-Susitna School District include Butte Elementary School, Palmer Middle School and Palmer High School, which offers specialized programs such as the International Baccalaureate program.
Outdoor enthusiasts will find plenty of things to do, from hiking the Bodenburg Butte for panoramic views to fishing in the Knik and Matanuska rivers. The Knik River Public Use Area provides over 260,000 acres for hiking, camping, boating and off-roading. The nearby Knik Glacier, a 25-mile-long ice sheet, is accessible via guided tours or more adventurous methods like biking or ATV rides. For dining, residents can visit Turkey Red in Palmer, about 7 miles away, or the seasonal Raven’s Perch near the Knik Glacier. Shopping options include Fred Meyer and Carrs in Palmer and Walmart and Target in Wasilla. Health care services are available at Mat-Su Urgent Care, 7 miles away, and Mat-Su Regional Medical Center, 14 miles from Butte.
Commuting is facilitated by Old Glenn Highway, connecting Butte to Palmer, Wasilla and Anchorage. Despite significant snowfall, road maintenance and plowing are well-managed, with school bus routes prioritized and major roads cleared within 18 hours.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Butte a good place to live?
Butte is a good place to live. Butte is considered very car-dependent and somewhat bikeable. Butte is a rural neighborhood with a crime score of 2, making it safer than the average neighborhood in the U.S. Butte has 5 parks for recreational activities. It is sparse in population with 0.2 people per acre and a median age of 42. The average household income is $116,106 which is above the national average. College graduates make up 28.6% of residents. A majority of residents in Butte are home owners, with 19% of residents renting and 81% of residents owning their home. A
local real estate agent serving Butte can help you decide if this neighborhood is the right one for you. Learn more on our
Butte neighborhood guide.
Is Butte, AK a safe neighborhood?
Butte, AK is safer than the average neighborhood in the United States. It received a crime score of 2 out of 10.
How much do you need to make to afford a house in Butte?
The median home price in Butte is $479,000. If you put a 20% down payment of $95,800 and had a 30-year fixed mortgage with an interest rate of 6.11%, your estimated principal and interest payment would be $2,320 a month plus property taxes, HOA fees, home insurance, PMI, and utilities. Using the 28% rule, you would need to make at least $99K a year to afford the median home price in Butte. Learn how much home you can afford with our
Home Affordability Calculator. The average household income in Butte is $116K.
What are the best public schools in Butte?
The best public schools that serve Butte are:
What are the most popular zip codes in Butte, Anchorage, AK?
What are the most popular neighborhoods near Butte, Anchorage, AK?
Are home prices dropping in Butte?
Yes, home prices in Butte are down 12% in the last 12 months.
Home Trends in Butte, AK
On average, homes in Butte, Anchorage sell after 44 days on the market compared to the national average of 53 days. The median sale price for homes in Butte, Anchorage over the last 12 months is $442,450, down 13% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Median Sale Price
$442,450
Median Single Family Sale Price
$461,000
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$251
Number of Homes for Sale
3
Last 12 months Home Sales
36
Median List Price
$479,000
Median Change From 1st List Price
1%
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
-13%
