City Comparison
Dillingham vs Wasilla
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Wasilla scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Dillingham
Wasilla
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Dillingham is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
9% lower than in Wasilla.
Housing costs are a major driver: Dillingham's average rent is
37% lower than Wasilla's.
| Metric | Dillingham | Wasilla | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,250 | $1,995 | -37% |
| Groceries | $650 | $400 | +63% |
| Utilities | $280 | $180 | +56% |
| Transport | $200 | $120 | +67% |
| Healthcare | $300 | $250 | +20% |
| Monthly Total | $2,680 | $2,945 | -9% |
| Cost Index | 135 | 122 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Dillingham offers 7% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Wasilla delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Dillingham is estimated at
$65,000 vs $55,000 in Wasilla.
| Metric | Dillingham | Wasilla |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $72,000 | $67,234 |
| Salary Needed | $65,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 53,333 idx | 55,110 idx |
| Household Income | $101,200 | $67,234 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 2.8°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Wasilla sees 22.1 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Dillingham | Wasilla |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 37.10°F | 39.90°F |
| Summer High | 60.90°F | 65.00°F |
| Winter Low | 16.80°F | 17.00°F |
| Rainfall | 45.70 in | 45.70 in |
| Snowfall | 62.80 in | 84.90 in |
| Sunny Days | 211 | 220 |
| Humidity | 75.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Dillingham has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
10,000 minutes (167 hours) per year compared to Wasilla.
For walkability, Dillingham leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Dillingham | Wasilla |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 10 min | 30 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 35.0/100 |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 42.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 30.00 | 52.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Wasilla is the larger city
— approximately 0.2x the population of Dillingham.
From a growth perspective, Wasilla is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Wasilla has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Dillingham | Wasilla |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,109 | 9,720 |
| Pop. Growth | — | 2.81% |
| Median Age | 35.5 | 34.8 |
| 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.
Wasilla
Advantages
Median property values and overall housing costs remain more accessible than in nearby Anchorage.
Statewide absence of personal income tax and state sales tax helps offset higher daily living expenses.
Unmatched access to world-class outdoor recreation, including fishing, hiking, and winter sports.
Robust local medical infrastructure anchored by the Mat-Su Regional Medical Center.
Strong community spirit and family-oriented neighborhoods with rich cultural heritage.
Drawbacks
Harsh winter conditions with heavy seasonal snowfall averaging 84.9 inches require rigorous preparedness.
High reliance on automobiles with significant traffic congestion along the Parks Highway during peak commutes.
Elevated utility and grocery costs driven by long-distance shipping logistics to Alaska.
Property crime rates that trend slightly above national averages for similarly sized communities.
Limited public transit infrastructure, making personal vehicle ownership an absolute necessity.
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
Wasilla
#466Alaska, USA
54.7 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,995
Avg Salary
$67,234
Cost Index
122
Commute
30 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
42.0/100
Sunny Days
220/yr
Avg Temp
39.90°F
Pop. Growth
2.81%
Unemployment
4.50%
Livability
75
Business
70
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