City Comparison
Kodiak vs Valdez
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Valdez scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Kodiak
Valdez
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Valdez is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
29% lower than in Kodiak.
Housing costs are a major driver: Kodiak's average rent is
74% higher than Valdez's.
| Metric | Kodiak | Valdez | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,350 | $1,350 | +74% |
| Groceries | $550 | $520 | +6% |
| Utilities | $220 | $220 | 0% |
| Transport | $150 | $150 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $300 | $280 | +7% |
| Monthly Total | $3,570 | $2,520 | +42% |
| Cost Index | 132 | 128 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Kodiak offers 4% 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 $60,000 in Valdez.
| Metric | Kodiak | Valdez |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $71,000 | $68,000 |
| Salary Needed | $62,000 | $60,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 53,788 idx | 53,125 idx |
| Household Income | $90,292 | $99,271 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 4.3°F of each other.
For sunshine, Kodiak comes out ahead with 32 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Valdez sees 376.8 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Kodiak | Valdez |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 43.20°F | 38.90°F |
| Summer High | 58.00°F | 60.90°F |
| Winter Low | 31.60°F | 18.60°F |
| Rainfall | 70.70 in | 115.50 in |
| Snowfall | 42.90 in | 419.70 in |
| Sunny Days | 171 | 139 |
| Humidity | 78.00% | 72.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Valdez has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,000 minutes (33 hours) per year compared to Kodiak.
| Metric | Kodiak | Valdez |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 15 min | 11 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 35.0/100 |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 58.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 30.00 | 25.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Kodiak is the larger city
— approximately 1.4x the population of Valdez.
From a growth perspective, Kodiak 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 | Valdez |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 5,214 | 3,847 |
| Pop. Growth | — | — |
| Median Age | 40.2 | 38.4 |
| Unemployment | 2.50% | 4.80% |
| 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
Valdez
Advantages
Average home values remain relatively stable around $351,711 per recent Zillow market data.
Residents enjoy zero state income tax and benefit from annual Alaska Permanent Fund Dividend payouts.
Exceptional proximity to world-class glaciers, sportfishing, and backcountry winter recreation.
High-wage career opportunities centered around the Trans-Alaska Pipeline marine terminal and energy sector.
Extremely low crime rates and a strong, supportive community-oriented atmosphere.
Drawbacks
High cost of living driven by freight and shipping expenses inherent to remote coastal Alaska geography.
Challenging rental market inventory with a significant portion of housing utilized for seasonal or corporate needs.
Severe winter weather conditions featuring heavy snowfall averaging over 400 inches annually.
Limited local availability for specialized medical care, often requiring transit to Anchorage.
Geographic isolation with limited road access routes out of the community during heavy winter storms.
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
Valdez
#399Alaska, USA
58.4 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,350
Avg Salary
$68,000
Cost Index
128
Commute
11 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
139/yr
Avg Temp
38.90°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.80%
Livability
76
Business
67
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