Performance
Score Breakdown
Flint
Sitka
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Sitka is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
1154% higher compared to Flint.
| Metric | Flint | Sitka | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $895 | $0 | 0% |
| Groceries | $691 | $0 | 0% |
| Utilities | $370 | $194 | +91% |
| Transport | $359 | $0 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $118 | $0 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $2,433 | $194 | +1154% |
| Cost Index | 90 | 117 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Flint offers similar average salaries.
| Metric | Flint | Sitka |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $45,900 | $0 |
| Salary Needed | $50,364 | $0 |
| Household Income | $37,646 | $101,727 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Flint runs warmer on average — a 5.2°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Flint comes out ahead with 136 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Sitka sees 164.1 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Flint | Sitka |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 49.10°F | 43.90°F |
| Summer High | 81.30°F | 60.80°F |
| Winter Low | 16.70°F | 28.20°F |
| Rainfall | 31.50 in | 138.90 in |
| Snowfall | 34.60 in | 198.70 in |
| Sunny Days | 247 | 111 |
| Humidity | 75.00% | % |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Sitka has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
5,000 minutes (83 hours) per year compared to Flint.
Flint scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Flint leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Flint | Sitka |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 23 min | 13 min |
| Transit Score | 30.0/10 | 0.0/10 |
| Walkability | 40.0/10 | 0.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 50.00 | |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Flint is the larger city
— approximately 9.5x the population of Sitka.
From a growth perspective, Flint is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Sitka has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Flint | Sitka |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 79,735 | 8,368 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.58% | % |
| Median Age | 36.9 | 39.7 |
| Unemployment | 4.20% | 3.10% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Flint
Advantages
The cost of living in Flint is significantly lower than the national average, particularly for housing.
Median home property values are very affordable, at $53,500 in 2024, and saw a 12.4% increase from the previous year.
Flint has a robust healthcare infrastructure with three major high-performing hospitals and specialized medical centers.
The education and health services sector experienced a 2.7% year-over-year job increase in 2024.
The Flint Cultural Center offers significant artistic and educational attractions, enhancing local quality of life.
Drawbacks
The city of Flint has experienced a population decline of 1.9% between 2020 and 2024.
Historically, Flint has been known for comparatively high crime rates.
The median household income in Flint ($37,646 in 2024) is considerably lower than the national average.
Despite lower car ownership, the city exhibits a medium car dependency, indicating limited public transit options.
Some rental prices, particularly for studios, show significant year-over-year fluctuations.
Sitka
Advantages
Sitka has a livability score of 85/100, ranking it in the 98th percentile of all cities.
The average one-way commute time in Sitka is 13 minutes, significantly shorter than the national average.
Sitka's crime rate is far below the national average, making it a very safe place to live.
The median household income in Sitka was $101,727 in 2024, exceeding the national average.
The healthcare sector in Sitka experienced an 8% growth in jobs and an 18% rise in wages from 2022 to 2024.
Drawbacks
The cost of living in Sitka is 17% higher than the national average.
Housing shortages and pricing are significant concerns for residents and employers.
The seafood industry, a key economic sector, saw a decline in earnings and jobs from 2023 to 2024.
Sitka's population is on a steady downward trajectory, with a loss of 10.5% from 2014 to 2024.
The average residential electricity bill in Sitka is higher than the national average.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Flint
#43Michigan, USA
58.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$895
Avg Salary
$45,900
Cost Index
90
Commute
23 min
Transit Score
30.0/10
Walkability
40.0/10
Sunny Days
247/yr
Avg Temp
49.10°F
Pop. Growth
0.58%
Unemployment
4.20%
Livability
62
Business
55
Sitka
#3Alaska, USA
85.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$0
Avg Salary
$0
Cost Index
117
Commute
13 min
Transit Score
0.0/10
Walkability
0.0/10
Sunny Days
111/yr
Avg Temp
43.90°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
3.10%
Livability
85
Business
85
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