Performance
Score Breakdown
Abbotsford
Sitka
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Sitka is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
750% higher compared to Abbotsford.
| Metric | Abbotsford | Sitka | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,079 | $0 | 0% |
| Groceries | $346 | $0 | 0% |
| Utilities | $156 | $194 | -20% |
| Transport | $68 | $0 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $0 | $0 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $1,649 | $194 | +750% |
| Cost Index | 110 | 117 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Abbotsford offers similar average salaries.
| Metric | Abbotsford | Sitka |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $34,589 | $0 |
| Salary Needed | $31,234 | $0 |
| Household Income | $64,800 | $101,727 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Sitka runs warmer on average — a 43.9°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Sitka comes out ahead with 111 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Sitka sees 198.7 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Abbotsford | Sitka |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | 43.90°F |
| Summer High | °F | 60.80°F |
| Winter Low | °F | 28.20°F |
| Rainfall | in | 138.90 in |
| Snowfall | in | 198.70 in |
| Sunny Days | 111 | |
| Humidity | 62.00% | % |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Abbotsford is the larger city
— approximately 18.3x the population of Sitka.
From a growth perspective, Abbotsford is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Sitka has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Abbotsford | Sitka |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 153,524 | 8,368 |
| Pop. Growth | 3.30% | % |
| Median Age | 39.2 | 39.7 |
| Unemployment | 7.20% | 3.10% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Abbotsford
Advantages
Abbotsford was ranked as the third most livable city in Canada in March 2026, largely due to its affordability.
The city's population is experiencing a significant growth rate of 3.3% year-over-year as of 2024.
The housing market showed signs of a rebound in early 2026, with increased sales across all property types compared to the previous year.
Townhome sales and benchmark prices increased in May 2026, indicating a strong segment of the housing market.
The Health Care and Social Assistance and Construction sectors have seen an increase in activity.
Drawbacks
The cost of living in Abbotsford is 10% higher than the Canadian national average.
The Abbotsford-Mission CMA experienced a 7.2% unemployment rate in October 2025.
Approximately 4,900 jobs were lost in the Abbotsford-Mission area between August 2024 and August 2025.
Concerns about the quality of care at Abbotsford Regional Hospital were raised in late 2023.
Abbotsford received a low ranking for safety in a March 2026 study of Canadian cities.
Sitka
Advantages
Sitka has a livability score of 85/100, ranking it in the 98th percentile of all cities.
The average one-way commute time in Sitka is 13 minutes, significantly shorter than the national average.
Sitka's crime rate is far below the national average, making it a very safe place to live.
The median household income in Sitka was $101,727 in 2024, exceeding the national average.
The healthcare sector in Sitka experienced an 8% growth in jobs and an 18% rise in wages from 2022 to 2024.
Drawbacks
The cost of living in Sitka is 17% higher than the national average.
Housing shortages and pricing are significant concerns for residents and employers.
The seafood industry, a key economic sector, saw a decline in earnings and jobs from 2023 to 2024.
Sitka's population is on a steady downward trajectory, with a loss of 10.5% from 2014 to 2024.
The average residential electricity bill in Sitka is higher than the national average.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Abbotsford
#2British Columbia, Canada
75.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,079
Avg Salary
$34,589
Cost Index
110
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
3.30%
Unemployment
7.20%
Livability
73
Business
60
Sitka
#3Alaska, USA
85.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$0
Avg Salary
$0
Cost Index
117
Sunny Days
111/yr
Avg Temp
43.90°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
3.10%
Livability
85
Business
85
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