Siberian Husky vs Alaskan Malamute

Yearly, first-year and lifetime cost side by side — adult dogs in Texas, standard kibble, insured, salon grooming where the coat needs clipping. Change the settings.

$2,937
per year · $35,771 lifetime · 11.9 yrs
$3,693
per year · $42,633 lifetime · 11.3 yrs

A Alaskan Malamute costs $756 more per year than a Siberian Husky — mostly grooming and food & treats. Over 11.3 years that is about $8,543.

CategorySiberian HuskyAlaskan MalamuteDifference
Food & treats $943 $1,254
$-311
Vet & preventive $787 $795
$-8
Insurance $812 $812
$0
Grooming $24 $461
$-437
Supplies & gear $58 $58
$0
Training & boarding $313 $313
$0
Total per year$2,937$3,693$-756
First year$3,890$4,691
Lifetime$35,771$42,633

The Alaskan Malamute is the bigger dog (80 lb against 47.5 lb), which by itself means more calories and a higher parasite-prevention band — $311 a year more on food alone.

Grooming differs: the Siberian Husky has a short double coat ($24 a year at our defaults) and the Alaskan Malamute a long double coat ($461). Median lifespans are 11.9 and 11.3 years, which is why the lifetime totals ($35,771 vs $42,633) move the same way as the yearly figures.

Questions

Which is cheaper to own, a Siberian Husky or a Alaskan Malamute?

The Siberian Husky: about $2,937 a year in Texas against $3,693 for the Alaskan Malamute, a difference of $756.

What is the lifetime cost of a Siberian Husky vs a Alaskan Malamute?

About $35,771 for a Siberian Husky over a 11.9-year median lifespan and $42,633 for a Alaskan Malamute over 11.3 years, including first-year set-up and senior care.

Source · 8 sources · Updated 2026-09-21estimate
SOURCE · PetSmart.com regular (non-promotional) list prices — hand-recorded SKU sample — PetSmart (recorded by pawdget), 2026 data, accessed 2026-09-21
SOURCE · Nutritional Requirements of Small Animals (RER = 70 × kg^0.75, MER factors) — Merck Veterinary Manual, 2024 data, accessed 2026-09-21
SOURCE · Veterinary Exam and Procedure Costs (ASQ360° research, 50 states + DC) — CareCredit / Synchrony, 2025 data, accessed 2026-09-21
SOURCE · pawdget methodology — our own schedules, rubrics and formulas — pawdget.com, 2026 data, accessed 2026-09-21
SOURCE · Regional Price Parities by State, 2024 (table SARPP) — U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, 2024 data, accessed 2026-09-21
SOURCE · State of the Industry Report 2026 — highlights (2025 data) — North American Pet Health Insurance Association, 2025 data, accessed 2026-09-21
SOURCE · National Pet Owners Survey 2025 — dog spending (press release) — American Pet Products Association, 2025 data, accessed 2026-09-21
SOURCE · Dog grooming price guides 2025–26 (Bark.com, QC Pet Studies, MoeGo) — Industry price guides, 2026 data, accessed 2026-09-21
METHOD · estimated by formula · View methodology