City Comparison
Unalaska vs Sitka
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Sitka scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Unalaska
Sitka
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Sitka is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
5% lower than in Unalaska.
Housing costs are a major driver: Unalaska's average rent is
10% higher than Sitka's.
| Metric | Unalaska | Sitka | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,650 | $1,498 | +10% |
| Groceries | $500 | $500 | 0% |
| Utilities | $180 | $200 | -10% |
| Transport | $150 | $150 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $300 | $300 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $2,780 | $2,648 | +5% |
| Cost Index | 135 | 130 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Sitka offers 25% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Sitka delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Unalaska is estimated at
$65,000 vs $75,000 in Sitka.
| Metric | Unalaska | Sitka |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $72,000 | $95,900 |
| Salary Needed | $65,000 | $75,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 53,333 idx | 73,769 idx |
| Household Income | $131,964 | $101,727 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Unalaska runs warmer on average — a 42.2°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Unalaska comes out ahead with 156 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Unalaska sees 94.1 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Unalaska | Sitka |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 42.20°F | °F |
| Summer High | 55.70°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 33.20°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 68.80 in | in |
| Snowfall | 94.10 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 156 | |
| Humidity | 80.00% | 85.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Unalaska has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,500 minutes (58 hours) per year compared to Sitka.
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 | Unalaska | Sitka |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 6 min | 13 min |
| Transit Score | 30.0/100 | 65.0/100 |
| Walkability | 55.0/100 | 73.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 35.00 | 20.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Sitka is the larger city
— approximately 0.5x the population of Unalaska.
From a growth perspective, Unalaska 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 | Unalaska | Sitka |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 4,308 | 8,307 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.05% | — |
| Median Age | 40.4 | 39.7 |
| Unemployment | 4.50% | 3.30% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Unalaska
Advantages
Unalaska's port of Dutch Harbor has led the nation in commercial fish landings volume for decades per municipal data.
Median household incomes are robust, averaging $131,964 according to U.S. Census Bureau estimates.
Violent crime is exceptionally low, offering a secure and tight-knit community atmosphere.
Proximity to pristine wilderness, world-class sport fishing, and dramatic Aleutian landscapes.
Rich multicultural environment shaped by long-standing Alaska Native heritage and international seafood workers.
Drawbacks
Extreme isolation results in high grocery and freight costs, running significantly above the U.S. average.
Severe subarctic weather and high winds frequently disrupt air travel and cargo shipping.
Very tight local housing inventory with elevated home purchase and rental costs.
Limited options for retail shopping, dining, and specialized medical care on the island.
Harsh, wet, and windy winters with limited daylight hours.
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.
Unalaska
#487Alaska, USA
53.7 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,650
Avg Salary
$72,000
Cost Index
135
Commute
6 min
Transit Score
30.0/100
Walkability
55.0/100
Sunny Days
156/yr
Avg Temp
42.20°F
Pop. Growth
0.05%
Unemployment
4.50%
Livability
72
Business
65
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 Unalaska and Sitka.
Open Cost Calculator