City Comparison
Kodiak vs Seward
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Seward scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Kodiak
Seward
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
| Metric | Kodiak | Seward | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,350 | $0 | 0% |
| Groceries | $550 | $0 | 0% |
| Utilities | $220 | $0 | 0% |
| Transport | $150 | $0 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $300 | $0 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $3,570 | $0 | 0% |
| Cost Index | 132 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Kodiak offers 1% higher average salaries.
| Metric | Kodiak | Seward |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $71,000 | $70,600 |
| Salary Needed | $62,000 | $0 |
| Household Income | $90,292 | $85,481 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 4.3°F of each other.
For sunshine, Kodiak comes out ahead with 33 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Seward sees 412.8 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Kodiak | Seward |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 43.20°F | 38.90°F |
| Summer High | 58.00°F | 60.90°F |
| Winter Low | 31.60°F | 18.80°F |
| Rainfall | 70.70 in | 134.50 in |
| Snowfall | 42.90 in | 455.70 in |
| Sunny Days | 171 | 138 |
| Humidity | 78.00% | % |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Seward has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
1,500 minutes (25 hours) per year compared to Kodiak.
Kodiak scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Seward leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Kodiak | Seward |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 15 min | 12 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | — |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 60.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 30.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Kodiak is the larger city
— approximately 1.9x the population of Seward.
From a growth perspective, Seward is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Kodiak has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Kodiak | Seward |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 5,214 | 2,794 |
| Pop. Growth | — | 0.97% |
| Median Age | 40.2 | 37.7 |
| Unemployment | 2.50% | 4.20% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Kodiak
Advantages
Median household income in Kodiak stands at a robust $90,292, outpacing many rural US regions per Census data
World-class commercial fishing, sportfishing, and pristine wilderness right outside your door
Extremely low crime rates and high community safety compared to the national average
Rich cultural diversity with a vibrant Alutiiq heritage and significant Asian and Pacific Islander community presence
Strong local economy anchored by the U.S. Coast Guard base and stable seafood processing industries
Drawbacks
Average monthly rent of $2,350 reflects tight housing inventory and high island shipping expenses per Zillow/Zumper data
High cost of living driven by freight expenses for groceries, utilities, and building materials
Frequent overcast days, heavy rainfall (70.7 inches annually), and windy maritime weather
Isolated geography requires air or ferry travel for mainland access, increasing travel costs
Limited public transit infrastructure makes car ownership an absolute necessity
Seward
Advantages
Seward boasts a high safety rating, ranking fifth for safety and fifth for lowest violent crime rate in Alaska as of 2024.
The median household income in Seward was $85,481 in 2024, significantly above the national average.
Employment in Seward grew by 5.77% from 2023 to 2024, indicating a robust job market.
Seward offers a high degree of walkability in its downtown and harbor areas, making it easy to explore on foot.
The city is a gateway to Kenai Fjords National Park, offering unparalleled access to natural beauty and outdoor adventures.
Drawbacks
Seward's overall crime rate is 2% higher than the national average, with property crimes being more prevalent.
The cost of living in Alaska, and by extension Seward, can be higher than the national average due to transportation costs for goods.
Rideshare services like Uber and Lyft are not available in Seward, requiring reliance on taxis or other transportation methods.
Seward has a lower percentage of foreign-born residents (6.73%) compared to the national average (14%), suggesting less diversity in that aspect.
The median age in Seward is 37.7 years, which is slightly lower than the US median of 38.9 years, indicating a slightly younger population.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Kodiak
#444Alaska, USA
55.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,350
Avg Salary
$71,000
Cost Index
132
Commute
15 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
171/yr
Avg Temp
43.20°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
2.50%
Livability
76
Business
65
Seward
#23Alaska, USA
72.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$0
Avg Salary
$70,600
Cost Index
Commute
12 min
Transit Score
—
Walkability
60.0/100
Sunny Days
138/yr
Avg Temp
38.90°F
Pop. Growth
0.97%
Unemployment
4.20%
Livability
74
Business
68
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