City Comparison
Dillingham vs Unalaska
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Unalaska scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Dillingham
Unalaska
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Dillingham is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
4% lower than in Unalaska.
Housing costs are a major driver: Dillingham's average rent is
24% lower than Unalaska's.
| Metric | Dillingham | Unalaska | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,250 | $1,650 | -24% |
| Groceries | $650 | $500 | +30% |
| Utilities | $280 | $180 | +56% |
| Transport | $200 | $150 | +33% |
| Healthcare | $300 | $300 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $2,680 | $2,780 | -4% |
| Cost Index | 135 | 135 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Dillingham offers similar average salaries.
The minimum comfortable salary in Dillingham is estimated at
$65,000 vs $65,000 in Unalaska.
| Metric | Dillingham | Unalaska |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $72,000 | $72,000 |
| Salary Needed | $65,000 | $65,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 53,333 idx | 53,333 idx |
| Household Income | $101,200 | $131,964 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Unalaska runs warmer on average — a 5.1°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Dillingham comes out ahead with 55 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Unalaska sees 31.3 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Dillingham | Unalaska |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 37.10°F | 42.20°F |
| Summer High | 60.90°F | 55.70°F |
| Winter Low | 16.80°F | 33.20°F |
| Rainfall | 45.70 in | 68.80 in |
| Snowfall | 62.80 in | 94.10 in |
| Sunny Days | 211 | 156 |
| Humidity | 75.00% | 80.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Unalaska has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,000 minutes (33 hours) per year compared to Dillingham.
Dillingham 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 | Unalaska |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 10 min | 6 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 30.0/100 |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 30.00 | 35.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Unalaska is the larger city
— approximately 0.5x the population of Dillingham.
From a growth perspective, Unalaska is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Unalaska has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Dillingham | Unalaska |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,109 | 4,308 |
| Pop. Growth | — | 0.05% |
| Median Age | 35.5 | 40.4 |
| Unemployment | 5.40% | 4.50% |
| 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.
Unalaska
Advantages
Unalaska's port of Dutch Harbor has led the nation in commercial fish landings volume for decades per municipal data.
Median household incomes are robust, averaging $131,964 according to U.S. Census Bureau estimates.
Violent crime is exceptionally low, offering a secure and tight-knit community atmosphere.
Proximity to pristine wilderness, world-class sport fishing, and dramatic Aleutian landscapes.
Rich multicultural environment shaped by long-standing Alaska Native heritage and international seafood workers.
Drawbacks
Extreme isolation results in high grocery and freight costs, running significantly above the U.S. average.
Severe subarctic weather and high winds frequently disrupt air travel and cargo shipping.
Very tight local housing inventory with elevated home purchase and rental costs.
Limited options for retail shopping, dining, and specialized medical care on the island.
Harsh, wet, and windy winters with limited daylight hours.
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
Unalaska
#487Alaska, USA
53.7 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,650
Avg Salary
$72,000
Cost Index
135
Commute
6 min
Transit Score
30.0/100
Walkability
55.0/100
Sunny Days
156/yr
Avg Temp
42.20°F
Pop. Growth
0.05%
Unemployment
4.50%
Livability
72
Business
65
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