Performance
Score Breakdown
Burlington
Sitka
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Sitka is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
1132% higher compared to Burlington.
| Metric | Burlington | Sitka | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,742 | $0 | 0% |
| Groceries | $373 | $0 | 0% |
| Utilities | $115 | $194 | -41% |
| Transport | $106 | $0 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $55 | $0 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $2,391 | $194 | +1132% |
| Cost Index | 138 | 117 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Burlington offers similar average salaries.
| Metric | Burlington | Sitka |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $52,855 | $0 |
| Salary Needed | $61,000 | $0 |
| Household Income | $80,300 | $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 | Burlington | 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 | 70.00% | % |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Sitka has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
7,500 minutes (125 hours) per year compared to Burlington.
Burlington scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Burlington leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Burlington | Sitka |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 28 min | 13 min |
| Transit Score | 55.0/10 | 0.0/10 |
| Walkability | 43.0/10 | 0.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 45.00 | |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Burlington is the larger city
— approximately 23.8x the population of Sitka.
From a growth perspective, Burlington 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 | Burlington | Sitka |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 199,484 | 8,368 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.50% | % |
| Median Age | 44.4 | 39.7 |
| Unemployment | 6.60% | 3.10% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Burlington
Advantages
Burlington consistently ranks among the top livable cities in Canada, recognized for its high quality of life.
The city and the broader Halton Region maintain low crime rates, with violent crime decreasing for the third consecutive year in 2025.
Burlington offers a diverse and thriving economy with job growth in sectors like Healthcare, Advanced Manufacturing, and Biomedical & Life Sciences.
Its strategic location provides excellent access to major job markets and cultural centers in Toronto and Hamilton, with convenient transit options.
The city boasts significant natural beauty, including the Lake Ontario waterfront and the Niagara Escarpment, offering abundant outdoor recreational opportunities.
Drawbacks
The cost of living in Burlington is significantly higher than the national average, with a cost of living index of 138.
Housing costs are particularly high, with average rents and property prices exceeding national and provincial averages.
Despite overall low regional crime, Burlington's specific crime rate was the highest in the Halton Region in 2025, particularly for property crimes.
The city is largely car-dependent, with limited walkability outside of downtown areas.
Some residents note a limited nightlife, with many establishments closing by 10 PM on weekdays.
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.
Burlington
#2Ontario, Canada
75.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,742
Avg Salary
$52,855
Cost Index
138
Commute
28 min
Transit Score
55.0/10
Walkability
43.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.50%
Unemployment
6.60%
Livability
81
Business
70
Sitka
#3Alaska, USA
85.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$0
Avg Salary
$0
Cost Index
117
Commute
13 min
Transit Score
0.0/10
Walkability
0.0/10
Sunny Days
111/yr
Avg Temp
43.90°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
3.10%
Livability
85
Business
85
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