City Comparison
Soldotna vs Seward
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Seward scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Soldotna
Seward
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
| Metric | Soldotna | Seward | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,850 | $0 | 0% |
| Groceries | $520 | $0 | 0% |
| Utilities | $210 | $0 | 0% |
| Transport | $140 | $0 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $270 | $0 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $2,990 | $0 | 0% |
| Cost Index | 118 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Seward offers 12% lower average salaries.
| Metric | Soldotna | Seward |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $62,000 | $70,600 |
| Salary Needed | $58,000 | $0 |
| Household Income | $56,280 | $85,481 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0.2°F of each other.
For sunshine, Soldotna comes out ahead with 85 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Seward sees 392 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Soldotna | Seward |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 38.70°F | 38.90°F |
| Summer High | 62.10°F | 60.90°F |
| Winter Low | 14.60°F | 18.80°F |
| Rainfall | 37.40 in | 134.50 in |
| Snowfall | 63.70 in | 455.70 in |
| Sunny Days | 223 | 138 |
| Humidity | 72.00% | % |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other.
Soldotna 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 | Soldotna | Seward |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 14 min | 12 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | — |
| Walkability | 45.0/100 | 60.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 38.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Soldotna is the larger city
— approximately 1.6x the population of Seward.
From a growth perspective, Soldotna is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Seward has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Soldotna | Seward |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 4,485 | 2,794 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.19% | 0.97% |
| Median Age | 33.1 | 37.7 |
| Unemployment | 5.90% | 4.20% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Soldotna
Advantages
Median home values remain relatively accessible at around $306,000 compared to broader U.S. coastal markets.
World-class access to salmon fishing and outdoor recreation directly within city limits along the Kenai River.
Short average commute times of under 15 minutes allow for an unhurried daily routine.
Serves as a robust regional healthcare hub anchored by Central Peninsula Hospital.
High rates of U.S. citizenship and a strong, tight-knit community civic engagement profile.
Drawbacks
Higher overall cost of living driven by freight and remote shipping expenses for everyday goods.
Limited public transportation infrastructure enforces high car dependency.
Severe winter conditions and limited daylight hours require substantial seasonal adjustment.
Rental market volatility during summer months due to seasonal tourism and fishing worker influxes.
Poverty rate sits somewhat higher than national averages at approximately 16.4%.
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.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Soldotna
#554Alaska, USA
47.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,850
Avg Salary
$62,000
Cost Index
118
Commute
14 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
45.0/100
Sunny Days
223/yr
Avg Temp
38.70°F
Pop. Growth
1.19%
Unemployment
5.90%
Livability
75
Business
65
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
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