City Comparison
Dillingham vs Anchorage
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Dillingham scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Dillingham
Anchorage
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Dillingham is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
15% lower than in Anchorage.
Housing costs are a major driver: Dillingham's average rent is
21% lower than Anchorage's.
| Metric | Dillingham | Anchorage | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,250 | $1,583 | -21% |
| Groceries | $650 | $623 | +4% |
| Utilities | $280 | $409 | -32% |
| Transport | $200 | $350 | -43% |
| Healthcare | $300 | $200 | +50% |
| Monthly Total | $2,680 | $3,165 | -15% |
| Cost Index | 135 | 125 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Dillingham offers 16% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Dillingham delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Dillingham is estimated at
$65,000 vs $125,309 in Anchorage.
| Metric | Dillingham | Anchorage |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $72,000 | $61,814 |
| Salary Needed | $65,000 | $125,309 |
| Purchasing Power | 53,333 idx | 49,451 idx |
| Household Income | $101,200 | $103,284 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Dillingham runs warmer on average — a 37.1°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Dillingham comes out ahead with 211 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Dillingham sees 62.8 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Dillingham | Anchorage |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 37.10°F | °F |
| Summer High | 60.90°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 16.80°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 45.70 in | in |
| Snowfall | 62.80 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 211 | |
| Humidity | 75.00% | % |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Dillingham has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
4,000 minutes (67 hours) per year compared to Anchorage.
Anchorage scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Dillingham leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Dillingham | Anchorage |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 10 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 52.0/100 |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 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, Dillingham 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 | Dillingham | Anchorage |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,109 | 286,278 |
| Pop. Growth | — | — |
| Median Age | 35.5 | 35.2 |
| Unemployment | 5.40% | 4.10% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Dillingham
Advantages
World-class access to pristine wilderness, sport fishing, and outdoor recreation right outside your door.
Strong, close-knit community fabric with rich Alaska Native cultural heritage and traditions.
Lucrative seasonal employment and business opportunities tied to the world's largest sockeye salmon fishery.
Very short average commute times under 10 minutes due to compact town geography.
Comprehensive regional healthcare services provided locally through Kanakanak Hospital.
Drawbacks
High cost of living and inflated grocery prices driven by remote air and barge freight logistics.
Isolation from the main highway system, requiring costly flights or boat travel to reach Anchorage.
Severe subarctic winter climate with limited daylight hours and heavy snow loads.
Fluctuating economic stability tied directly to the annual success and pricing of the commercial salmon harvest.
Limited options for retail shopping, dining, and specialized entertainment.
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.
Dillingham
#543Alaska, USA
49.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,250
Avg Salary
$72,000
Cost Index
135
Commute
10 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
211/yr
Avg Temp
37.10°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
5.40%
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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