City Comparison
Ketchikan vs Anchorage
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Ketchikan scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Ketchikan
Anchorage
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Ketchikan is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
25% lower than in Anchorage.
Housing costs are a major driver: Ketchikan's average rent is
12% lower than Anchorage's.
| Metric | Ketchikan | Anchorage | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,389 | $1,583 | -12% |
| Groceries | $450 | $623 | -28% |
| Utilities | $180 | $409 | -56% |
| Transport | $120 | $350 | -66% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $200 | +25% |
| Monthly Total | $2,389 | $3,165 | -25% |
| Cost Index | 124 | 125 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Ketchikan offers 5% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Ketchikan delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Ketchikan is estimated at
$55,000 vs $125,309 in Anchorage.
| Metric | Ketchikan | Anchorage |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $65,000 | $61,814 |
| Salary Needed | $55,000 | $125,309 |
| Purchasing Power | 52,419 idx | 49,451 idx |
| Household Income | $85,275 | $103,284 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Ketchikan runs warmer on average — a 45°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Ketchikan comes out ahead with 128 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Ketchikan sees 143.4 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Ketchikan | Anchorage |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 45.00°F | °F |
| Summer High | 64.00°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 26.50°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 164.70 in | in |
| Snowfall | 143.40 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 128 | |
| Humidity | 80.00% | % |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Ketchikan has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,000 minutes (50 hours) per year compared to Anchorage.
For walkability, Ketchikan leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Ketchikan | Anchorage |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 12 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 52.0/100 | 52.0/100 |
| Walkability | 65.0/100 | 31.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 35.00 | 31.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Anchorage is the larger city
.
From a growth perspective, Ketchikan is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Ketchikan has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Ketchikan | Anchorage |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 8,080 | 286,278 |
| Pop. Growth | — | — |
| Median Age | 37.4 | 35.2 |
| Unemployment | 2.60% | 4.10% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Ketchikan
Advantages
Median home value is approximately $352,400, offering attainable homeownership compared to major West Coast metro areas per U.S. Census data.
Exceptional access to world-class sportfishing, hiking, and pristine wilderness right at your doorstep.
No state personal income tax and no statewide sales tax, helping offset high consumer goods costs.
Short average commute times of around 10 to 15 minutes, ensuring minimal daily traffic congestion.
Strong, close-knit community spirit with a vibrant local culture rooted in rich Alaska Native heritage.
Drawbacks
Extremely high annual rainfall of over 160 inches per year, requiring a tolerance for wet weather.
Geographic isolation means all goods and travel must rely on costly air or marine transportation.
Limited housing inventory restricts options and can drive up rental and purchase competition.
Seasonal economic swings driven by tourism can create employment and housing volatility.
Lack of road connection to the mainland means traveling off-island requires taking a ferry or airplane.
Anchorage
Advantages
No state income tax allows residents to keep a larger portion of their earnings.
Exceptional access to stunning natural beauty and outdoor recreational activities.
Strong job market in key sectors like healthcare, oil & gas, and transportation.
Friendly community and welcoming atmosphere with a small-town feel.
Shorter average commute time compared to the national average.
Drawbacks
Overall cost of living is significantly higher than the national average.
Higher property crime rate compared to the national average.
Limited public transportation options lead to high car dependency.
Challenging winter weather conditions with short daylight hours.
Elevated healthcare costs compared to the national average.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Ketchikan
#362Alaska, USA
59.7 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,389
Avg Salary
$65,000
Cost Index
124
Commute
12 min
Transit Score
52.0/100
Walkability
65.0/100
Sunny Days
128/yr
Avg Temp
45.00°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
2.60%
Livability
76
Business
67
Anchorage
#605Alaska, USA
35.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,583
Avg Salary
$61,814
Cost Index
125
Commute
18 min
Transit Score
52.0/100
Walkability
31.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.10%
Livability
72
Business
68
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