City Comparison
Kodiak vs Soldotna
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Kodiak scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Kodiak
Soldotna
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Soldotna is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
16% lower than in Kodiak.
Housing costs are a major driver: Kodiak's average rent is
27% higher than Soldotna's.
| Metric | Kodiak | Soldotna | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,350 | $1,850 | +27% |
| Groceries | $550 | $520 | +6% |
| Utilities | $220 | $210 | +5% |
| Transport | $150 | $140 | +7% |
| Healthcare | $300 | $270 | +11% |
| Monthly Total | $3,570 | $2,990 | +19% |
| Cost Index | 132 | 118 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Kodiak offers 15% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Kodiak delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Kodiak is estimated at
$62,000 vs $58,000 in Soldotna.
| Metric | Kodiak | Soldotna |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $71,000 | $62,000 |
| Salary Needed | $62,000 | $58,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 53,788 idx | 52,542 idx |
| Household Income | $90,292 | $56,280 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 4.5°F of each other.
For sunshine, Soldotna comes out ahead with 52 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Soldotna sees 20.8 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Kodiak | Soldotna |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 43.20°F | 38.70°F |
| Summer High | 58.00°F | 62.10°F |
| Winter Low | 31.60°F | 14.60°F |
| Rainfall | 70.70 in | 37.40 in |
| Snowfall | 42.90 in | 63.70 in |
| Sunny Days | 171 | 223 |
| Humidity | 78.00% | 72.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 1 minutes of each other.
For walkability, Kodiak leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Kodiak | Soldotna |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 15 min | 14 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 35.0/100 |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 45.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 30.00 | 38.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Kodiak is the larger city
— approximately 1.2x the population of Soldotna.
From a growth perspective, Soldotna 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 | Soldotna |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 5,214 | 4,485 |
| Pop. Growth | — | 1.19% |
| Median Age | 40.2 | 33.1 |
| Unemployment | 2.50% | 5.90% |
| 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
Soldotna
Advantages
Median home values remain relatively accessible at around $306,000 compared to broader U.S. coastal markets.
World-class access to salmon fishing and outdoor recreation directly within city limits along the Kenai River.
Short average commute times of under 15 minutes allow for an unhurried daily routine.
Serves as a robust regional healthcare hub anchored by Central Peninsula Hospital.
High rates of U.S. citizenship and a strong, tight-knit community civic engagement profile.
Drawbacks
Higher overall cost of living driven by freight and remote shipping expenses for everyday goods.
Limited public transportation infrastructure enforces high car dependency.
Severe winter conditions and limited daylight hours require substantial seasonal adjustment.
Rental market volatility during summer months due to seasonal tourism and fishing worker influxes.
Poverty rate sits somewhat higher than national averages at approximately 16.4%.
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
Soldotna
#554Alaska, USA
47.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,850
Avg Salary
$62,000
Cost Index
118
Commute
14 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
45.0/100
Sunny Days
223/yr
Avg Temp
38.70°F
Pop. Growth
1.19%
Unemployment
5.90%
Livability
75
Business
65
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