City Comparison
Nome vs Anchorage
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Nome scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Nome
Anchorage
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Nome is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
5% lower than in Anchorage.
| Metric | Nome | Anchorage | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,500 | $1,583 | -5% |
| Groceries | $650 | $623 | +4% |
| Utilities | $350 | $409 | -14% |
| Transport | $200 | $350 | -43% |
| Healthcare | $300 | $200 | +50% |
| Monthly Total | $3,000 | $3,165 | -5% |
| Cost Index | 145 | 125 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Nome offers 10% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Anchorage delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Nome is estimated at
$60,000 vs $125,309 in Anchorage.
| Metric | Nome | Anchorage |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $68,000 | $61,814 |
| Salary Needed | $60,000 | $125,309 |
| Purchasing Power | 46,897 idx | 49,451 idx |
| Household Income | $113,646 | $103,284 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Nome runs warmer on average — a 29.3°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Nome comes out ahead with 233 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Nome sees 78.7 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Nome | Anchorage |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 29.30°F | °F |
| Summer High | 56.30°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 5.00°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 34.60 in | in |
| Snowfall | 78.70 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 233 | |
| Humidity | 72.00% | % |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Nome has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
6,000 minutes (100 hours) per year compared to Anchorage.
Anchorage scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Nome leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Nome | Anchorage |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 6 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 40.0/100 | 52.0/100 |
| Walkability | 62.0/100 | 31.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 30.00 | 31.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Anchorage is the larger city
.
From a growth perspective, Nome is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Anchorage has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Nome | Anchorage |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 3,653 | 286,278 |
| Pop. Growth | — | — |
| Median Age | 31.4 | 35.2 |
| Unemployment | 8.50% | 4.10% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Nome
Advantages
Median household income stands robustly at $113,646 per the U.S. Census Bureau
Home to the historic finish line of the world-famous Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race
Comprehensive local care provided by Norton Sound Regional Hospital
Rich Inupiat cultural heritage with active community traditions and subsistence lifestyle
Unrivaled access to pristine Arctic wilderness, fishing, and outdoor recreation
Drawbacks
High cost of living and expensive retail goods due to remote fly-in/barge-only logistics
Severe winter weather with prolonged sub-zero temperatures and high heating expenses
Limited local housing inventory and high construction/shipping costs for building materials
Isolation from the primary Alaska highway system, requiring costly air travel for off-peninsula trips
Higher-than-average local crime rates relative to smaller U.S. towns
Anchorage
Advantages
No state income tax allows residents to keep a larger portion of their earnings.
Exceptional access to stunning natural beauty and outdoor recreational activities.
Strong job market in key sectors like healthcare, oil & gas, and transportation.
Friendly community and welcoming atmosphere with a small-town feel.
Shorter average commute time compared to the national average.
Drawbacks
Overall cost of living is significantly higher than the national average.
Higher property crime rate compared to the national average.
Limited public transportation options lead to high car dependency.
Challenging winter weather conditions with short daylight hours.
Elevated healthcare costs compared to the national average.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Nome
#596Alaska, USA
41.8 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,500
Avg Salary
$68,000
Cost Index
145
Commute
6 min
Transit Score
40.0/100
Walkability
62.0/100
Sunny Days
233/yr
Avg Temp
29.30°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
8.50%
Livability
70
Business
62
Anchorage
#605Alaska, USA
35.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,583
Avg Salary
$61,814
Cost Index
125
Commute
18 min
Transit Score
52.0/100
Walkability
31.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.10%
Livability
72
Business
68
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