City Comparison
Unalaska vs Anchorage
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Unalaska scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Unalaska
Anchorage
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Unalaska is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
12% lower than in Anchorage.
| Metric | Unalaska | Anchorage | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,650 | $1,583 | +4% |
| Groceries | $500 | $623 | -20% |
| Utilities | $180 | $409 | -56% |
| Transport | $150 | $350 | -57% |
| Healthcare | $300 | $200 | +50% |
| Monthly Total | $2,780 | $3,165 | -12% |
| Cost Index | 135 | 125 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Unalaska offers 16% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Unalaska delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Unalaska is estimated at
$65,000 vs $125,309 in Anchorage.
| Metric | Unalaska | Anchorage |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $72,000 | $61,814 |
| Salary Needed | $65,000 | $125,309 |
| Purchasing Power | 53,333 idx | 49,451 idx |
| Household Income | $131,964 | $103,284 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Unalaska runs warmer on average — a 42.2°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Unalaska comes out ahead with 156 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Unalaska sees 94.1 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Unalaska | Anchorage |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 42.20°F | °F |
| Summer High | 55.70°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 33.20°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 68.80 in | in |
| Snowfall | 94.10 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 156 | |
| Humidity | 80.00% | % |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Unalaska 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, Unalaska leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Unalaska | Anchorage |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 6 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 30.0/100 | 52.0/100 |
| Walkability | 55.0/100 | 31.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 35.00 | 31.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Anchorage is the larger city
.
From a growth perspective, Unalaska 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 | Unalaska | Anchorage |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 4,308 | 286,278 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.05% | — |
| Median Age | 40.4 | 35.2 |
| Unemployment | 4.50% | 4.10% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Unalaska
Advantages
Unalaska's port of Dutch Harbor has led the nation in commercial fish landings volume for decades per municipal data.
Median household incomes are robust, averaging $131,964 according to U.S. Census Bureau estimates.
Violent crime is exceptionally low, offering a secure and tight-knit community atmosphere.
Proximity to pristine wilderness, world-class sport fishing, and dramatic Aleutian landscapes.
Rich multicultural environment shaped by long-standing Alaska Native heritage and international seafood workers.
Drawbacks
Extreme isolation results in high grocery and freight costs, running significantly above the U.S. average.
Severe subarctic weather and high winds frequently disrupt air travel and cargo shipping.
Very tight local housing inventory with elevated home purchase and rental costs.
Limited options for retail shopping, dining, and specialized medical care on the island.
Harsh, wet, and windy winters with limited daylight hours.
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.
Unalaska
#487Alaska, USA
53.7 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,650
Avg Salary
$72,000
Cost Index
135
Commute
6 min
Transit Score
30.0/100
Walkability
55.0/100
Sunny Days
156/yr
Avg Temp
42.20°F
Pop. Growth
0.05%
Unemployment
4.50%
Livability
72
Business
65
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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