City Comparison
Wasilla vs Anchorage
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Wasilla scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Wasilla
Anchorage
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Wasilla is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
7% lower than in Anchorage.
Housing costs are a major driver: Wasilla's average rent is
26% higher than Anchorage's.
| Metric | Wasilla | Anchorage | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,995 | $1,583 | +26% |
| Groceries | $400 | $623 | -36% |
| Utilities | $180 | $409 | -56% |
| Transport | $120 | $350 | -66% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $200 | +25% |
| Monthly Total | $2,945 | $3,165 | -7% |
| Cost Index | 122 | 125 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Wasilla offers 9% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Wasilla delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Wasilla is estimated at
$55,000 vs $125,309 in Anchorage.
| Metric | Wasilla | Anchorage |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $67,234 | $61,814 |
| Salary Needed | $55,000 | $125,309 |
| Purchasing Power | 55,110 idx | 49,451 idx |
| Household Income | $67,234 | $103,284 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Wasilla runs warmer on average — a 39.9°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Wasilla comes out ahead with 220 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Wasilla sees 84.9 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Wasilla | Anchorage |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 39.90°F | °F |
| Summer High | 65.00°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 17.00°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 45.70 in | in |
| Snowfall | 84.90 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 220 | |
| Humidity | 65.00% | % |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Anchorage has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
6,000 minutes (100 hours) per year compared to Wasilla.
Anchorage scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Wasilla leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Wasilla | Anchorage |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 30 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 52.0/100 |
| Walkability | 42.0/100 | 31.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 52.00 | 31.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Anchorage is the larger city
.
From a growth perspective, Wasilla 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 | Wasilla | Anchorage |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 9,720 | 286,278 |
| Pop. Growth | 2.81% | — |
| Median Age | 34.8 | 35.2 |
| Unemployment | 4.50% | 4.10% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Wasilla
Advantages
Median property values and overall housing costs remain more accessible than in nearby Anchorage.
Statewide absence of personal income tax and state sales tax helps offset higher daily living expenses.
Unmatched access to world-class outdoor recreation, including fishing, hiking, and winter sports.
Robust local medical infrastructure anchored by the Mat-Su Regional Medical Center.
Strong community spirit and family-oriented neighborhoods with rich cultural heritage.
Drawbacks
Harsh winter conditions with heavy seasonal snowfall averaging 84.9 inches require rigorous preparedness.
High reliance on automobiles with significant traffic congestion along the Parks Highway during peak commutes.
Elevated utility and grocery costs driven by long-distance shipping logistics to Alaska.
Property crime rates that trend slightly above national averages for similarly sized communities.
Limited public transit infrastructure, making personal vehicle ownership an absolute necessity.
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.
Wasilla
#466Alaska, USA
54.7 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,995
Avg Salary
$67,234
Cost Index
122
Commute
30 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
42.0/100
Sunny Days
220/yr
Avg Temp
39.90°F
Pop. Growth
2.81%
Unemployment
4.50%
Livability
75
Business
70
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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