City Comparison
Dillingham vs Soldotna
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Dillingham scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Dillingham
Soldotna
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Dillingham is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
10% lower than in Soldotna.
Housing costs are a major driver: Dillingham's average rent is
32% lower than Soldotna's.
| Metric | Dillingham | Soldotna | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,250 | $1,850 | -32% |
| Groceries | $650 | $520 | +25% |
| Utilities | $280 | $210 | +33% |
| Transport | $200 | $140 | +43% |
| Healthcare | $300 | $270 | +11% |
| Monthly Total | $2,680 | $2,990 | -10% |
| Cost Index | 135 | 118 | 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 $58,000 in Soldotna.
| Metric | Dillingham | Soldotna |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $72,000 | $62,000 |
| Salary Needed | $65,000 | $58,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 53,333 idx | 52,542 idx |
| Household Income | $101,200 | $56,280 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 1.6°F of each other.
For sunshine, Soldotna comes out ahead with 12 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Soldotna sees 0.90000000000001 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Dillingham | Soldotna |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 37.10°F | 38.70°F |
| Summer High | 60.90°F | 62.10°F |
| Winter Low | 16.80°F | 14.60°F |
| Rainfall | 45.70 in | 37.40 in |
| Snowfall | 62.80 in | 63.70 in |
| Sunny Days | 211 | 223 |
| Humidity | 75.00% | 72.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Dillingham has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,000 minutes (33 hours) per year compared to Soldotna.
For walkability, Dillingham leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Dillingham | Soldotna |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 10 min | 14 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 35.0/100 |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 45.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 30.00 | 38.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Soldotna is the larger city
— approximately 0.5x the population of Dillingham.
From a growth perspective, Soldotna 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 | Soldotna |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,109 | 4,485 |
| Pop. Growth | — | 1.19% |
| Median Age | 35.5 | 33.1 |
| Unemployment | 5.40% | 5.90% |
| 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.
Soldotna
Advantages
Median home values remain relatively accessible at around $306,000 compared to broader U.S. coastal markets.
World-class access to salmon fishing and outdoor recreation directly within city limits along the Kenai River.
Short average commute times of under 15 minutes allow for an unhurried daily routine.
Serves as a robust regional healthcare hub anchored by Central Peninsula Hospital.
High rates of U.S. citizenship and a strong, tight-knit community civic engagement profile.
Drawbacks
Higher overall cost of living driven by freight and remote shipping expenses for everyday goods.
Limited public transportation infrastructure enforces high car dependency.
Severe winter conditions and limited daylight hours require substantial seasonal adjustment.
Rental market volatility during summer months due to seasonal tourism and fishing worker influxes.
Poverty rate sits somewhat higher than national averages at approximately 16.4%.
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
Soldotna
#554Alaska, USA
47.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,850
Avg Salary
$62,000
Cost Index
118
Commute
14 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
45.0/100
Sunny Days
223/yr
Avg Temp
38.70°F
Pop. Growth
1.19%
Unemployment
5.90%
Livability
75
Business
65
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