City Comparison
Seward vs Anchorage
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Seward scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Seward
Anchorage
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
| Metric | Seward | Anchorage | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $0 | $1,583 | -100% |
| Groceries | $0 | $623 | -100% |
| Utilities | $0 | $409 | -100% |
| Transport | $0 | $350 | -100% |
| Healthcare | $0 | $200 | -100% |
| Monthly Total | $0 | $3,165 | -100% |
| Cost Index | 125 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Seward offers 14% higher average salaries.
| Metric | Seward | Anchorage |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $70,600 | $61,814 |
| Salary Needed | $0 | $125,309 |
| Household Income | $85,481 | $103,284 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Seward runs warmer on average — a 38.9°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Seward comes out ahead with 138 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Seward sees 455.7 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Seward | Anchorage |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 38.90°F | °F |
| Summer High | 60.90°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 18.80°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 134.50 in | in |
| Snowfall | 455.70 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 138 | |
| Humidity | % | % |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Seward has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,000 minutes (50 hours) per year compared to Anchorage.
Anchorage scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Seward leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Seward | Anchorage |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 12 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | — | 52.0/100 |
| Walkability | 60.0/100 | 31.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 31.00 | |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Anchorage is the larger city
.
From a growth perspective, Seward 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 | Seward | Anchorage |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,794 | 286,278 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.97% | — |
| Median Age | 37.7 | 35.2 |
| Unemployment | 4.20% | 4.10% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Seward
Advantages
Seward boasts a high safety rating, ranking fifth for safety and fifth for lowest violent crime rate in Alaska as of 2024.
The median household income in Seward was $85,481 in 2024, significantly above the national average.
Employment in Seward grew by 5.77% from 2023 to 2024, indicating a robust job market.
Seward offers a high degree of walkability in its downtown and harbor areas, making it easy to explore on foot.
The city is a gateway to Kenai Fjords National Park, offering unparalleled access to natural beauty and outdoor adventures.
Drawbacks
Seward's overall crime rate is 2% higher than the national average, with property crimes being more prevalent.
The cost of living in Alaska, and by extension Seward, can be higher than the national average due to transportation costs for goods.
Rideshare services like Uber and Lyft are not available in Seward, requiring reliance on taxis or other transportation methods.
Seward has a lower percentage of foreign-born residents (6.73%) compared to the national average (14%), suggesting less diversity in that aspect.
The median age in Seward is 37.7 years, which is slightly lower than the US median of 38.9 years, indicating a slightly younger population.
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.
Seward
#23Alaska, USA
72.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$0
Avg Salary
$70,600
Cost Index
Commute
12 min
Transit Score
—
Walkability
60.0/100
Sunny Days
138/yr
Avg Temp
38.90°F
Pop. Growth
0.97%
Unemployment
4.20%
Livability
74
Business
68
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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