City Comparison
Dillingham vs Nome
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Dillingham scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Dillingham
Nome
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Dillingham is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
11% lower than in Nome.
Housing costs are a major driver: Dillingham's average rent is
17% lower than Nome's.
| Metric | Dillingham | Nome | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,250 | $1,500 | -17% |
| Groceries | $650 | $650 | 0% |
| Utilities | $280 | $350 | -20% |
| Transport | $200 | $200 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $300 | $300 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $2,680 | $3,000 | -11% |
| Cost Index | 135 | 145 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Dillingham offers 6% 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 $60,000 in Nome.
| Metric | Dillingham | Nome |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $72,000 | $68,000 |
| Salary Needed | $65,000 | $60,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 53,333 idx | 46,897 idx |
| Household Income | $101,200 | $113,646 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Dillingham runs warmer on average — a 7.8°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Nome comes out ahead with 22 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Nome sees 15.9 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Dillingham | Nome |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 37.10°F | 29.30°F |
| Summer High | 60.90°F | 56.30°F |
| Winter Low | 16.80°F | 5.00°F |
| Rainfall | 45.70 in | 34.60 in |
| Snowfall | 62.80 in | 78.70 in |
| Sunny Days | 211 | 233 |
| Humidity | 75.00% | 72.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Nome has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,000 minutes (33 hours) per year compared to Dillingham.
Nome scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Nome leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Dillingham | Nome |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 10 min | 6 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 62.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 30.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Nome is the larger city
— approximately 0.6x the population of Dillingham.
From a growth perspective, Dillingham is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Dillingham has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Dillingham | Nome |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,109 | 3,653 |
| Pop. Growth | — | — |
| Median Age | 35.5 | 31.4 |
| Unemployment | 5.40% | 8.50% |
| 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.
Nome
Advantages
Median household income stands robustly at $113,646 per the U.S. Census Bureau
Home to the historic finish line of the world-famous Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race
Comprehensive local care provided by Norton Sound Regional Hospital
Rich Inupiat cultural heritage with active community traditions and subsistence lifestyle
Unrivaled access to pristine Arctic wilderness, fishing, and outdoor recreation
Drawbacks
High cost of living and expensive retail goods due to remote fly-in/barge-only logistics
Severe winter weather with prolonged sub-zero temperatures and high heating expenses
Limited local housing inventory and high construction/shipping costs for building materials
Isolation from the primary Alaska highway system, requiring costly air travel for off-peninsula trips
Higher-than-average local crime rates relative to smaller U.S. towns
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
Nome
#596Alaska, USA
41.8 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,500
Avg Salary
$68,000
Cost Index
145
Commute
6 min
Transit Score
40.0/100
Walkability
62.0/100
Sunny Days
233/yr
Avg Temp
29.30°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
8.50%
Livability
70
Business
62
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