City Comparison
Seward vs Wasilla
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Seward scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Seward
Wasilla
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
| Metric | Seward | Wasilla | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $0 | $1,995 | -100% |
| Groceries | $0 | $400 | -100% |
| Utilities | $0 | $180 | -100% |
| Transport | $0 | $120 | -100% |
| Healthcare | $0 | $250 | -100% |
| Monthly Total | $0 | $2,945 | -100% |
| Cost Index | 122 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Seward offers 5% higher average salaries.
| Metric | Seward | Wasilla |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $70,600 | $67,234 |
| Salary Needed | $0 | $55,000 |
| Household Income | $85,481 | $67,234 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 1°F of each other.
For sunshine, Wasilla comes out ahead with 82 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Seward sees 370.8 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Seward | Wasilla |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 38.90°F | 39.90°F |
| Summer High | 60.90°F | 65.00°F |
| Winter Low | 18.80°F | 17.00°F |
| Rainfall | 134.50 in | 45.70 in |
| Snowfall | 455.70 in | 84.90 in |
| Sunny Days | 138 | 220 |
| Humidity | % | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Seward has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
9,000 minutes (150 hours) per year compared to Wasilla.
Wasilla 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 | Wasilla |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 12 min | 30 min |
| Transit Score | — | 35.0/100 |
| Walkability | 60.0/100 | 42.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 52.00 | |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Wasilla is the larger city
— approximately 0.3x the population of Seward.
From a growth perspective, Wasilla 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 | Seward | Wasilla |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,794 | 9,720 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.97% | 2.81% |
| Median Age | 37.7 | 34.8 |
| Unemployment | 4.20% | 4.50% |
| 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.
Wasilla
Advantages
Median property values and overall housing costs remain more accessible than in nearby Anchorage.
Statewide absence of personal income tax and state sales tax helps offset higher daily living expenses.
Unmatched access to world-class outdoor recreation, including fishing, hiking, and winter sports.
Robust local medical infrastructure anchored by the Mat-Su Regional Medical Center.
Strong community spirit and family-oriented neighborhoods with rich cultural heritage.
Drawbacks
Harsh winter conditions with heavy seasonal snowfall averaging 84.9 inches require rigorous preparedness.
High reliance on automobiles with significant traffic congestion along the Parks Highway during peak commutes.
Elevated utility and grocery costs driven by long-distance shipping logistics to Alaska.
Property crime rates that trend slightly above national averages for similarly sized communities.
Limited public transit infrastructure, making personal vehicle ownership an absolute necessity.
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
Wasilla
#466Alaska, USA
54.7 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,995
Avg Salary
$67,234
Cost Index
122
Commute
30 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
42.0/100
Sunny Days
220/yr
Avg Temp
39.90°F
Pop. Growth
2.81%
Unemployment
4.50%
Livability
75
Business
70
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