City Comparison
Seward vs North Pole
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Seward scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Seward
North Pole
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
| Metric | Seward | North Pole | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $0 | $1,300 | -100% |
| Groceries | $0 | $450 | -100% |
| Utilities | $0 | $220 | -100% |
| Transport | $0 | $150 | -100% |
| Healthcare | $0 | $260 | -100% |
| Monthly Total | $0 | $2,380 | -100% |
| Cost Index | 108 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Seward offers 4% higher average salaries.
| Metric | Seward | North Pole |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $70,600 | $68,000 |
| Salary Needed | $0 | $52,000 |
| Household Income | $85,481 | $92,273 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Seward runs warmer on average — a 7.3°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, North Pole comes out ahead with 125 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Seward sees 427.5 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Seward | North Pole |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 38.90°F | 31.60°F |
| Summer High | 60.90°F | 69.80°F |
| Winter Low | 18.80°F | -8.40°F |
| Rainfall | 134.50 in | 21.80 in |
| Snowfall | 455.70 in | 28.20 in |
| Sunny Days | 138 | 263 |
| Humidity | % | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Seward has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
6,000 minutes (100 hours) per year compared to North Pole.
North Pole scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Seward leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Seward | North Pole |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 12 min | 24 min |
| Transit Score | — | 40.0/100 |
| Walkability | 60.0/100 | 45.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 35.00 | |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Seward is the larger city
— approximately 1.2x the population of North Pole.
From a growth perspective, North Pole is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
| Metric | Seward | North Pole |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,794 | 2,370 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.97% | 2.50% |
| Median Age | 37.7 | 28.2 |
| Unemployment | 4.20% | 4.20% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Seward
Advantages
Seward boasts a high safety rating, ranking fifth for safety and fifth for lowest violent crime rate in Alaska as of 2024.
The median household income in Seward was $85,481 in 2024, significantly above the national average.
Employment in Seward grew by 5.77% from 2023 to 2024, indicating a robust job market.
Seward offers a high degree of walkability in its downtown and harbor areas, making it easy to explore on foot.
The city is a gateway to Kenai Fjords National Park, offering unparalleled access to natural beauty and outdoor adventures.
Drawbacks
Seward's overall crime rate is 2% higher than the national average, with property crimes being more prevalent.
The cost of living in Alaska, and by extension Seward, can be higher than the national average due to transportation costs for goods.
Rideshare services like Uber and Lyft are not available in Seward, requiring reliance on taxis or other transportation methods.
Seward has a lower percentage of foreign-born residents (6.73%) compared to the national average (14%), suggesting less diversity in that aspect.
The median age in Seward is 37.7 years, which is slightly lower than the US median of 38.9 years, indicating a slightly younger population.
North Pole
Advantages
Median property value sits at a relatively affordable $289,400 per recent U.S. Census data.
Poverty rate is exceptionally low at roughly 4.93% according to local demographic reports.
Unique community identity and tourist draw centered around the famous Santa Claus House.
Prime location in interior Alaska offering direct access to world-class aurora viewing and winter sports.
Short and manageable commute times averaging around 23.5 minutes to nearby employment centers.
Drawbacks
Severe winter conditions feature extreme low temperatures averaging -8.4°F.
High utility and energy expenses required to heat homes during prolonged sub-zero winter months.
High degree of car dependency with limited public transit options available locally.
Geographic isolation from major metropolitan amenities, requiring trips to Fairbanks for specialty needs.
Limited local job diversification outside of government, defense support, and retail sectors.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Seward
#23Alaska, USA
72.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$0
Avg Salary
$70,600
Cost Index
Commute
12 min
Transit Score
—
Walkability
60.0/100
Sunny Days
138/yr
Avg Temp
38.90°F
Pop. Growth
0.97%
Unemployment
4.20%
Livability
74
Business
68
North Pole
#141Alaska, USA
65.5 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,300
Avg Salary
$68,000
Cost Index
108
Commute
24 min
Transit Score
40.0/100
Walkability
45.0/100
Sunny Days
263/yr
Avg Temp
31.60°F
Pop. Growth
2.50%
Unemployment
4.20%
Livability
73
Business
67
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