City Comparison
Dillingham vs Wrangell
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Wrangell scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Dillingham
Wrangell
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Wrangell is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
15% lower than in Dillingham.
Housing costs are a major driver: Dillingham's average rent is
14% higher than Wrangell's.
| Metric | Dillingham | Wrangell | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,250 | $1,100 | +14% |
| Groceries | $650 | $520 | +25% |
| Utilities | $280 | $220 | +27% |
| Transport | $200 | $150 | +33% |
| Healthcare | $300 | $280 | +7% |
| Monthly Total | $2,680 | $2,270 | +18% |
| Cost Index | 135 | 122 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Dillingham offers 13% 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 $52,000 in Wrangell.
| Metric | Dillingham | Wrangell |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $72,000 | $63,750 |
| Salary Needed | $65,000 | $52,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 53,333 idx | 52,254 idx |
| Household Income | $101,200 | $63,750 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Wrangell runs warmer on average — a 5.9°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Dillingham comes out ahead with 71 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Wrangell sees 120.7 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Dillingham | Wrangell |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 37.10°F | 43.00°F |
| Summer High | 60.90°F | 64.70°F |
| Winter Low | 16.80°F | 21.00°F |
| Rainfall | 45.70 in | 132.30 in |
| Snowfall | 62.80 in | 183.50 in |
| Sunny Days | 211 | 140 |
| Humidity | 75.00% | 78.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 1 minutes of each other.
| Metric | Dillingham | Wrangell |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 10 min | 9 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 35.0/100 |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 58.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 30.00 | 20.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Dillingham is the larger city
— approximately 1.1x the population of Wrangell.
From a growth perspective, Dillingham is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Wrangell has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Dillingham | Wrangell |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,109 | 2,007 |
| Pop. Growth | — | — |
| Median Age | 35.5 | 48.1 |
| Unemployment | 5.40% | 3.00% |
| 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.
Wrangell
Advantages
Median monthly rent for multi-family units ranks among the most affordable in Southeast Alaska per state labor reports
Exceptionally low violent crime rates offer a safe, secure environment for families and retirees
Unrivaled proximity to pristine wilderness, sportfishing, and outdoor recreational opportunities
A tight-knit, supportive community with high civic engagement and volunteerism
Local employment stability anchored by healthcare, public administration, and seafood processing
Drawbacks
Geographic isolation drives up the cost of groceries, freight, and goods shipped to the island
Limited housing inventory and low rental vacancy rates can make finding accommodation difficult
Harsh winter weather with heavy snowfall and limited daylight hours requires lifestyle adjustments
Employment opportunities are narrow, heavily concentrated in seasonal or resource-dependent sectors
Travel to the mainland requires reliance on ferries or regional air services, increasing transit costs
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
Wrangell
#384Alaska, USA
59.2 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,100
Avg Salary
$63,750
Cost Index
122
Commute
9 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
140/yr
Avg Temp
43.00°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
3.00%
Livability
78
Business
62
Calculate Your Cost Impact
Estimate the salary you'd need when moving between Dillingham and Wrangell.
Open Cost Calculator