Performance
Score Breakdown
Nashville
Sitka
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Sitka is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
1273% higher compared to Nashville.
| Metric | Nashville | Sitka | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,684 | $0 | 0% |
| Groceries | $400 | $0 | 0% |
| Utilities | $260 | $194 | +34% |
| Transport | $180 | $0 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $140 | $0 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $2,664 | $194 | +1273% |
| Cost Index | 96 | 117 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Nashville offers similar average salaries.
| Metric | Nashville | Sitka |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $93,454 | $0 |
| Salary Needed | $67,356 | $0 |
| Household Income | $77,371 | $101,727 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Sitka runs warmer on average — a 43.9°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Sitka comes out ahead with 111 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Sitka sees 198.7 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Nashville | Sitka |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | 43.90°F |
| Summer High | °F | 60.80°F |
| Winter Low | °F | 28.20°F |
| Rainfall | in | 138.90 in |
| Snowfall | in | 198.70 in |
| Sunny Days | 111 | |
| Humidity | 69.00% | % |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Sitka has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
8,500 minutes (142 hours) per year compared to Nashville.
Nashville scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Nashville leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Nashville | Sitka |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 30 min | 13 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/10 | 0.0/10 |
| Walkability | 40.0/10 | 0.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 38.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Nashville is the larger city
— approximately 85.2x the population of Sitka.
From a growth perspective, Nashville is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Nashville has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Nashville | Sitka |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 712,581 | 8,368 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.54% | % |
| Median Age | 34.5 | 39.7 |
| Unemployment | 3.00% | 3.10% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Nashville
Advantages
Nashville's metro area unemployment rate of 3.0% (March 2026) is well below the national average, indicating a robust job market.
The city's cost of living index of 95.9 (March 2026) makes it approximately 4.1% more affordable than the national average.
Nashville experienced a job growth rate of 1.1% through September 2025, ranking it among the top U.S. metros for employment growth.
Violent offenses in Nashville were down nearly 14% and property crime decreased by almost 12% in 2025 compared to 2024, with homicides at their lowest in a decade.
Tennessee has no state income tax, which can be a significant financial advantage for residents.
Drawbacks
Nashville experiences significant traffic congestion, ranking 27th worst globally and 11th in the U.S. in 2025, with drivers losing an average of 63 hours annually.
Summers in Nashville are hot and muggy, with high humidity levels, which can be uncomfortable for some residents.
Housing costs are rising, with median home prices at $475,000 (July 2025) and average rents increasing, making affordability a growing concern.
The city's public transportation system is not as readily accessible as in other major cities, contributing to high car dependency.
Despite recent improvements, Nashville's overall crime rate of 57.31 per 1,000 people (2024 data) places it in a moderate safety range, with some areas having elevated crime.
Sitka
Advantages
Sitka has a livability score of 85/100, ranking it in the 98th percentile of all cities.
The average one-way commute time in Sitka is 13 minutes, significantly shorter than the national average.
Sitka's crime rate is far below the national average, making it a very safe place to live.
The median household income in Sitka was $101,727 in 2024, exceeding the national average.
The healthcare sector in Sitka experienced an 8% growth in jobs and an 18% rise in wages from 2022 to 2024.
Drawbacks
The cost of living in Sitka is 17% higher than the national average.
Housing shortages and pricing are significant concerns for residents and employers.
The seafood industry, a key economic sector, saw a decline in earnings and jobs from 2023 to 2024.
Sitka's population is on a steady downward trajectory, with a loss of 10.5% from 2014 to 2024.
The average residential electricity bill in Sitka is higher than the national average.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Nashville
#31Tennessee, USA
70.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,684
Avg Salary
$93,454
Cost Index
96
Commute
30 min
Transit Score
35.0/10
Walkability
40.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.54%
Unemployment
3.00%
Livability
70
Business
75
Sitka
#3Alaska, USA
85.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$0
Avg Salary
$0
Cost Index
117
Commute
13 min
Transit Score
0.0/10
Walkability
0.0/10
Sunny Days
111/yr
Avg Temp
43.90°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
3.10%
Livability
85
Business
85
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