City Comparison
Kodiak vs Unalaska
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Kodiak scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Kodiak
Unalaska
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Unalaska is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
22% lower than in Kodiak.
Housing costs are a major driver: Kodiak's average rent is
42% higher than Unalaska's.
| Metric | Kodiak | Unalaska | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,350 | $1,650 | +42% |
| Groceries | $550 | $500 | +10% |
| Utilities | $220 | $180 | +22% |
| Transport | $150 | $150 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $300 | $300 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $3,570 | $2,780 | +28% |
| Cost Index | 132 | 135 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Unalaska offers 1% lower 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 $65,000 in Unalaska.
| Metric | Kodiak | Unalaska |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $71,000 | $72,000 |
| Salary Needed | $62,000 | $65,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 53,788 idx | 53,333 idx |
| Household Income | $90,292 | $131,964 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 1°F of each other.
For sunshine, Kodiak comes out ahead with 15 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Unalaska sees 51.2 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Kodiak | Unalaska |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 43.20°F | 42.20°F |
| Summer High | 58.00°F | 55.70°F |
| Winter Low | 31.60°F | 33.20°F |
| Rainfall | 70.70 in | 68.80 in |
| Snowfall | 42.90 in | 94.10 in |
| Sunny Days | 171 | 156 |
| Humidity | 78.00% | 80.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Unalaska has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
4,500 minutes (75 hours) per year compared to Kodiak.
Kodiak scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Kodiak leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Kodiak | Unalaska |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 15 min | 6 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 30.0/100 |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 30.00 | 35.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Kodiak is the larger city
— approximately 1.2x the population of Unalaska.
From a growth perspective, Unalaska 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 | Unalaska |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 5,214 | 4,308 |
| Pop. Growth | — | 0.05% |
| Median Age | 40.2 | 40.4 |
| Unemployment | 2.50% | 4.50% |
| 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
Unalaska
Advantages
Unalaska's port of Dutch Harbor has led the nation in commercial fish landings volume for decades per municipal data.
Median household incomes are robust, averaging $131,964 according to U.S. Census Bureau estimates.
Violent crime is exceptionally low, offering a secure and tight-knit community atmosphere.
Proximity to pristine wilderness, world-class sport fishing, and dramatic Aleutian landscapes.
Rich multicultural environment shaped by long-standing Alaska Native heritage and international seafood workers.
Drawbacks
Extreme isolation results in high grocery and freight costs, running significantly above the U.S. average.
Severe subarctic weather and high winds frequently disrupt air travel and cargo shipping.
Very tight local housing inventory with elevated home purchase and rental costs.
Limited options for retail shopping, dining, and specialized medical care on the island.
Harsh, wet, and windy winters with limited daylight hours.
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
Unalaska
#487Alaska, USA
53.7 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,650
Avg Salary
$72,000
Cost Index
135
Commute
6 min
Transit Score
30.0/100
Walkability
55.0/100
Sunny Days
156/yr
Avg Temp
42.20°F
Pop. Growth
0.05%
Unemployment
4.50%
Livability
72
Business
65
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