City Comparison
Dillingham vs Palmer
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Palmer scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Dillingham
Palmer
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Palmer is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
12% lower than in Dillingham.
| Metric | Dillingham | Palmer | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,250 | $1,250 | 0% |
| Groceries | $650 | $480 | +35% |
| Utilities | $280 | $210 | +33% |
| Transport | $200 | $140 | +43% |
| Healthcare | $300 | $270 | +11% |
| Monthly Total | $2,680 | $2,350 | +14% |
| Cost Index | 135 | 112 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Dillingham offers 6% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Palmer delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Dillingham is estimated at
$65,000 vs $58,000 in Palmer.
| Metric | Dillingham | Palmer |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $72,000 | $68,000 |
| Salary Needed | $65,000 | $58,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 53,333 idx | 60,714 idx |
| Household Income | $101,200 | $72,201 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 3.7°F of each other.
For sunshine, Palmer comes out ahead with 21 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Palmer sees 1.4 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Dillingham | Palmer |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 37.10°F | 40.80°F |
| Summer High | 60.90°F | 64.80°F |
| Winter Low | 16.80°F | 17.40°F |
| Rainfall | 45.70 in | 39.70 in |
| Snowfall | 62.80 in | 64.20 in |
| Sunny Days | 211 | 232 |
| Humidity | 75.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Dillingham has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
8,500 minutes (142 hours) per year compared to Palmer.
For walkability, Dillingham leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Dillingham | Palmer |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 10 min | 27 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 35.0/100 |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 52.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 30.00 | 42.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Palmer is the larger city
— approximately 0.3x the population of Dillingham.
From a growth perspective, Palmer is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Palmer has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Dillingham | Palmer |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,109 | 6,875 |
| Pop. Growth | — | 2.46% |
| Median Age | 35.5 | 32.9 |
| Unemployment | 5.40% | 3.50% |
| 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.
Palmer
Advantages
Median property values remain relatively accessible compared to Anchorage, averaging around $294,900 per the U.S. Census Bureau.
No state personal income tax provides financial relief for local households and workers.
Exceptional access to outdoor recreation, including hiking trails, fishing rivers, and winter sports.
Hosts prominent cultural traditions like the annual Alaska State Fair, drawing visitors statewide.
Strong community safety profile and a family-friendly small-town atmosphere.
Drawbacks
Higher costs for utilities, heating fuel, and imported goods due to Alaska's isolated supply chains.
Heavy reliance on personal vehicles with limited public transit infrastructure.
Lengthy winter seasons featuring extended periods of cold temperatures and limited daylight hours.
Commuting to Anchorage via the Glenn Highway can experience weather-related delays and heavy traffic.
Property crime rates, while manageable, require standard suburban and rural vigilance.
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
Palmer
#300Alaska, USA
61.2 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,250
Avg Salary
$68,000
Cost Index
112
Commute
27 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
52.0/100
Sunny Days
232/yr
Avg Temp
40.80°F
Pop. Growth
2.46%
Unemployment
3.50%
Livability
76
Business
68
Calculate Your Cost Impact
Estimate the salary you'd need when moving between Dillingham and Palmer.
Open Cost Calculator