Where to Buy Cigarette Cartons in Alaska: Local Stores & Prices (2025 Guide)

where can i buy cigarettes by the carton in Alaska The price of cigarette cartons in Alaska can puzzle many buyers. My research shows substantial price differences throughout the state. A Marlboro carton at Seward’s Safeway costs about $68.53, while the same carton at Anchorage’s Walmart sells for $74.82. Location makes all the difference.

Alaska’s cigarette prices show interesting patterns. Single packs cost $5 at corner stores and reach $7 in bar vending machines. Smart shoppers can find cartons between $43 and $50 at select stores. Tax rates create these price gaps. To cite an instance, see Seward’s lower cigarette taxes compared to Anchorage, though buyers still pay a 6% sales tax there. This piece explores the best spots to buy cigarette cartons in Alaska and lists expected prices for 2025.

Cigarette carton prices in Alaska: What to expect in 2025

_{Image Source: Shelving Depot}

Cigarette prices across Alaska show remarkable differences based on where you live. Alaska’s tobacco prices rank among the nation’s highest in 2025, and the price variations between cities and towns are worth noting. where can i buy cigarettes by the carton in Alaska

Anchorage vs. smaller towns

The price gap between Anchorage and smaller Alaskan communities tells an interesting story. Most items cost more in rural Alaska, but cigarettes break this pattern in certain areas. A pack of Marlboro cigarettes in Anchorage costs about $13. The same pack in Soldotna might only set you back $6.

Local tax differences create this price gap. Anchorage’s cigarette taxes are higher, making it the nation’s fifth-highest taxed city for cigarettes. Smaller towns like Seward usually charge lower cigarette taxes but add a general sales tax.

The rural price advantage doesn’t apply everywhere. To name just one example, see Bethel, which adds a $2.21 local tax per pack on top of Alaska’s $2.00 state tax. This brings their average pack price to about $11.

How much is a carton of cigarettes in Alaska?

A carton’s price varies throughout the state since it contains 10 packs. Here’s what you’ll pay for cartons in Alaska:

• Anchorage: $100-$130 (premium brands)
• Smaller towns with lower taxes: $60-$90 (depending on brand)
• Rural areas with high taxes: $90-$110

Alaska’s average cigarette price with taxes comes to $12.37 per pack, putting a carton at roughly $123.70 statewide. Buyers looking for alternatives can check online retailers like cheapcartoncigarettes.com that offer free shipping on orders above 5 cartons. where can i buy cigarettes by the carton in Alaska

Price range by brand and store type

Your brand choice affects what you’ll pay for cigarettes in Alaska. Premium brands like Marlboro cost more, with Walmart in Anchorage charging around $10 per pack. Budget-friendly options like Maverick or Pall Mall go for about $5-$6 in places like Soldotna.

The type of store shapes the final price:

• Big box retailers (Walmart): Better deals, with Marlboros around $10 per pack in Anchorage
• Convenience stores/gas stations: Charge $1-2 more per pack than big box stores
• Tobacco specialty shops: Competitive carton prices and possible bulk discounts
• Remote locations: Prices jump 20-30% because of shipping costs

Alaska’s minimum markup law sets the baseline price across all stores. The law requires a 2% markup at the stamping agent level, 4% at the wholesaler/distributor level, and 6% at the retailer level.

Where to buy cigarette cartons locally in Alaska

Looking to buy cigarette cartons in Alaska? You’ll need to know which stores give you the best deals and variety. Here’s what I found after checking out different options around the state.

Walmart and Safeway

The big retail chains often have the best carton prices in Alaska. Walmart in Anchorage sells a carton of Marlboro cigarettes at $74.82. Safeway is another solid choice – their Seward store has Marlboro cartons for $68.53. The prices vary between stores because of local tax differences rather than company policies.

Tobacco shops like Great Alaska Tobacco

Specialty tobacco stores are your best bet for finding a wide range of cigarette cartons. Great Alaska Tobacco in Anchorage stands out from the crowd. Located at 1650 W Northern Lights Blvd, this store stocks a detailed selection of tobacco products. They make things easy with in-store pickup and delivery options. The store’s 4.0 rating shows they’re doing something right, and they consistently rank among Anchorage’s top tobacco shops. where can i buy cigarettes by the carton in Alaska

Convenience stores and gas stations

Need a quick carton? Convenience stores are scattered throughout Alaska, though prices tend to run higher. Your typical 7-11 style store charges about $5 per pack or between $43-$50 per carton. Cheap Smokes has earned a reputation as one of Anchorage’s most affordable cigarette retailers. Circle K and Holiday Station stores stock cigarettes at all their Alaska locations.

Bars and vending machines

Some Alaska bars still have cigarette vending machines, but they only sell single packs. These machines charge premium rates – about $7 per pack. This isn’t the way to go if you want to buy cartons, but they work in a pinch.

Online shopping might be worth considering if local prices seem steep. Sites like cheapcartoncigarettes.com ship orders free when you buy more than 5 cartons. This could save you money compared to Alaska’s high retail prices.

What affects the cost of cigarettes in Alaska

The price of cigarettes varies wildly across Alaska due to its complex tax structure. A carton might cost $60 in one town and jump to over $100 in another. Let’s look at why this happens.

State and local taxes

Multiple levels of government tax tobacco in Alaska. The state charges $2.00 per pack of 20 cigarettes, and the federal government adds another $1.01 nationwide. The biggest price differences come from city taxes that change from one place to another.

Different cities have their own tax rates. Anchorage charges $2.39 per pack, Juneau takes $3.00, Bethel asks for $2.21, and Sitka tops the list with $2.46 per pack. Fairbanks bumped up their tobacco tax from 8% to 20%, which should bring in about $3.00 million more in revenue.

The state also requires markup at each step of distribution: 2% for stamping agents, 4% for wholesalers, and 6% for retailers. These layers of taxes make up much of the $12.37 average pack price across the state.

Sales tax differences by city

City sales taxes add another layer of price variation. Alaska doesn’t have a state sales tax, so cities set their own rates. The Fairbanks North Star Borough now charges a 40% total local tax on tobacco products within city limits.

Smaller communities often combine specific tobacco taxes with general sales taxes. This leads price-conscious smokers to travel to nearby areas with lower taxes to buy their cartons.

Shipping and supply chain costs

Cigarette prices shoot up in rural Alaska because of transportation costs. Stores near areas with lower taxes have to keep their prices down since customers can easily drive over to get cheaper options.

These high costs push many Alaskans to look at online stores. Websites like cheapcartoncigarettes.com ship orders free when you buy more than 5 cartons, which could save hundreds of dollars each year compared to local stores.

Just remember that Alaska law says you need a tobacco seller’s license to receive cigarette shipments. Shipping companies can’t deliver cigarettes to anyone without proper licensing.

Tips from locals and travelers

Smart smokers in Alaska can save big money with these practical tips from locals and longtime residents. The state’s cigarette prices rank among the nation’s highest, but there are ways to cut costs significantly.

Best times to buy for deals

Local Alaskans know that finding deals isn’t about timing – it’s about location. You’ll find better prices outside city limits, especially in areas with lower tax rates. A pack of Marlboros costs $4 less in Soldotna than in Anchorage.

Here’s how to save more:

• Buy cartons while passing through low-tax areas like Seward
• Shop at Walmart instead of convenience stores
• Check out online retailers like cheapcartoncigarettes.com that ship free with 5+ carton orders

Rolling your own vs. buying cartons

High prices have pushed many Alaskans toward rolling their own cigarettes. Students near college campuses in Chicago roll their own smokes with $15 pack prices. This money-saving trick works even better in Alaska’s expensive market.

Let’s break down the costs:

• A tobacco pouch with papers makes about 30 cigarettes for $2-$10, depending on quality
• You’ll get roughly 60 hand-rolled cigarettes at half the price of a regular 20-cigarette pack

Lucky Raven Tobacco’s machines and supplies help locals roll their own smokes – something locals call “a biggy up here”. The bonus? You can adjust tobacco strength and blend to your taste.

Avoiding tourist markups

Smart shoppers dodge the tourist trap prices that catch first-time visitors. Here’s what locals suggest:

• Skip hotel gift shops and tourist spots where prices jump 20-30%
• Shop outside Anchorage to dodge the extra city tax
• Head to Walmart for $10 Marlboro packs instead of pricier convenience stores

A local’s tip: “Anchorage has an additional tax so you may want to buy outside the city”. The proof? Marlboros cost $10 at Anchorage Walmart but only $6 in Soldotna – that’s 40% less.

Conclusion

The Alaska cigarette market can be tricky to figure out because of complex taxes and prices that change from place to place. This piece shows how prices bounce between $60 in small towns and $130 in places with heavy taxes like Anchorage. Alaska has some of the highest tobacco prices in the country, but smart shoppers can find decent deals by buying cartons outside the big cities.

People who live in areas with high taxes save money by shopping at Walmart or places like Great Alaska Tobacco instead of convenience stores. On top of that, many locals now roll their own cigarettes. This cuts their costs by half and lets them control their tobacco strength and blend. where can i buy cigarettes by the carton in Alaska

Your location in Alaska plays a vital part in finding good deals through local tax rules. Smart buyers plan their purchases while traveling through places like Seward or Soldotna where taxes are lower. This is a big deal as it means that carton prices drop significantly. Online stores like cheapcartoncigarettes.com are another option with free shipping if you buy more than five cartons – just check if they’ll ship to your area first.

Cigarette prices in Alaska will keep going up as cities look for more tax money. The sort of thing I love is learning about different ways to buy and plan ahead. These strategies are a great way to get budget control for smokers in 2025 and beyond. where can i buy cigarettes by the carton in Alaska

FAQs

Q1. How much do groceries typically cost in Alaska compared to other states? Grocery prices in Alaska can vary significantly depending on location. In major cities like Anchorage, prices may be 20-30% higher than the continental US. However, in remote areas only accessible by plane or boat, groceries can cost 2-3 times more than in the lower 48 states.

Q2. Why are food prices so high in parts of Alaska? Food prices are elevated in Alaska, especially in remote areas, due to high transportation costs. Most goods must be shipped or flown in, which adds significantly to their cost. Additionally, the harsh climate limits local food production, further driving up prices.

Q3. Do Alaskans receive any compensation to offset the high cost of living? Yes, Alaska residents who have lived in the state for a full calendar year are eligible for the Permanent Fund Dividend (PFD). This annual payment, derived from the state’s oil revenues, helps offset some living costs but typically amounts to around $1,600 per person per year.

Q4. How do people in remote Alaskan communities manage food costs? Many Alaskans in remote areas rely on subsistence hunting, fishing, and gathering to supplement store-bought food. Some communities also organize bulk food purchases to reduce costs. Additionally, many residents stock up on non-perishables when visiting larger towns or cities with lower prices.

Q5. Are there any programs to help Alaskans with high food costs? While there’s no specific program for food costs, Alaska does have various assistance programs. These include SNAP benefits, the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program, and food banks. Some remote communities also have cooperative stores that aim to keep prices lower for residents.