City Comparison
Wrangell vs Kodiak
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Wrangell scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Wrangell
Kodiak
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Wrangell is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
36% lower than in Kodiak.
Housing costs are a major driver: Wrangell's average rent is
53% lower than Kodiak's.
| Metric | Wrangell | Kodiak | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,100 | $2,350 | -53% |
| Groceries | $520 | $550 | -5% |
| Utilities | $220 | $220 | 0% |
| Transport | $150 | $150 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $280 | $300 | -7% |
| Monthly Total | $2,270 | $3,570 | -36% |
| Cost Index | 122 | 132 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Kodiak offers 10% 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 Wrangell is estimated at
$52,000 vs $62,000 in Kodiak.
| Metric | Wrangell | Kodiak |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $63,750 | $71,000 |
| Salary Needed | $52,000 | $62,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 52,254 idx | 53,788 idx |
| Household Income | $63,750 | $90,292 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0.2°F of each other.
For sunshine, Kodiak comes out ahead with 31 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Wrangell sees 140.6 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Wrangell | Kodiak |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 43.00°F | 43.20°F |
| Summer High | 64.70°F | 58.00°F |
| Winter Low | 21.00°F | 31.60°F |
| Rainfall | 132.30 in | 70.70 in |
| Snowfall | 183.50 in | 42.90 in |
| Sunny Days | 140 | 171 |
| Humidity | 78.00% | 78.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Wrangell has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,000 minutes (50 hours) per year compared to Kodiak.
| Metric | Wrangell | Kodiak |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 9 min | 15 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 35.0/100 |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 58.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 20.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Kodiak is the larger city
— approximately 0.4x the population of Wrangell.
From a growth perspective, Wrangell 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 | Wrangell | Kodiak |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,007 | 5,214 |
| Pop. Growth | — | — |
| Median Age | 48.1 | 40.2 |
| Unemployment | 3.00% | 2.50% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Wrangell
Advantages
Median monthly rent for multi-family units ranks among the most affordable in Southeast Alaska per state labor reports
Exceptionally low violent crime rates offer a safe, secure environment for families and retirees
Unrivaled proximity to pristine wilderness, sportfishing, and outdoor recreational opportunities
A tight-knit, supportive community with high civic engagement and volunteerism
Local employment stability anchored by healthcare, public administration, and seafood processing
Drawbacks
Geographic isolation drives up the cost of groceries, freight, and goods shipped to the island
Limited housing inventory and low rental vacancy rates can make finding accommodation difficult
Harsh winter weather with heavy snowfall and limited daylight hours requires lifestyle adjustments
Employment opportunities are narrow, heavily concentrated in seasonal or resource-dependent sectors
Travel to the mainland requires reliance on ferries or regional air services, increasing transit costs
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
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Wrangell
#384Alaska, USA
59.2 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,100
Avg Salary
$63,750
Cost Index
122
Commute
9 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
140/yr
Avg Temp
43.00°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
3.00%
Livability
78
Business
62
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
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