City Comparison
Seward vs Sitka
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Seward scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Seward
Sitka
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
| Metric | Seward | Sitka | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $0 | $1,498 | -100% |
| Groceries | $0 | $500 | -100% |
| Utilities | $0 | $200 | -100% |
| Transport | $0 | $150 | -100% |
| Healthcare | $0 | $300 | -100% |
| Monthly Total | $0 | $2,648 | -100% |
| Cost Index | 130 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Sitka offers 26% lower average salaries.
| Metric | Seward | Sitka |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $70,600 | $95,900 |
| Salary Needed | $0 | $75,000 |
| Household Income | $85,481 | $101,727 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Seward runs warmer on average — a 38.9°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Seward comes out ahead with 138 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Seward sees 455.7 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Seward | Sitka |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 38.90°F | °F |
| Summer High | 60.90°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 18.80°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 134.50 in | in |
| Snowfall | 455.70 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 138 | |
| Humidity | % | 85.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 1 minutes of each other.
Sitka scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Sitka leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Seward | Sitka |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 12 min | 13 min |
| Transit Score | — | 65.0/100 |
| Walkability | 60.0/100 | 73.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 20.00 | |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Sitka is the larger city
— approximately 0.3x the population of Seward.
From a growth perspective, Seward is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Sitka has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Seward | Sitka |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,794 | 8,307 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.97% | — |
| Median Age | 37.7 | 39.7 |
| Unemployment | 4.20% | 3.30% |
| 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.
Sitka
Advantages
Sitka boasts crime rates that are 66% lower than the Alaska average and a violent crime rate far below the national average, making it a very safe place to live.
The city offers unparalleled access to nature, including over 50 miles of trails, world-class fishing, and opportunities for boating and camping within the Tongass National Forest.
Residents benefit from a very walkable community, with a Walk Score of 73 out of 100, allowing most errands to be accomplished on foot.
Alaska has no state sales tax, inheritance tax, or personal property tax, which can be a financial advantage for residents.
The median household income in Sitka was $101,727 in 2024, significantly exceeding the national average.
Drawbacks
The cost of living in Sitka is high, particularly for groceries and medical care, due to its remote island location and reliance on shipped goods.
Sitka experiences a housing shortage, especially during peak months, and a lack of affordable housing is a key workforce challenge.
The city's remote location means long travel times and challenges with shipping items, as it is only accessible by boat or plane and has no road connections to other towns.
Sitka has an oceanic climate characterized by abundant precipitation and long, overcast winters, with rain being common year-round.
A lack of affordable childcare is a significant challenge for working families in Sitka.
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
Sitka
#440Alaska, USA
56.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,498
Avg Salary
$95,900
Cost Index
130
Commute
13 min
Transit Score
65.0/100
Walkability
73.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
3.30%
Livability
86
Business
75
Calculate Your Cost Impact
Estimate the salary you'd need when moving between Seward and Sitka.
Open Cost Calculator