City Comparison
Soldotna vs Wrangell
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Wrangell scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Soldotna
Wrangell
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Wrangell is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
24% lower than in Soldotna.
Housing costs are a major driver: Soldotna's average rent is
68% higher than Wrangell's.
| Metric | Soldotna | Wrangell | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,850 | $1,100 | +68% |
| Groceries | $520 | $520 | 0% |
| Utilities | $210 | $220 | -5% |
| Transport | $140 | $150 | -7% |
| Healthcare | $270 | $280 | -4% |
| Monthly Total | $2,990 | $2,270 | +32% |
| Cost Index | 118 | 122 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Wrangell offers 3% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Soldotna delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Soldotna is estimated at
$58,000 vs $52,000 in Wrangell.
| Metric | Soldotna | Wrangell |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $62,000 | $63,750 |
| Salary Needed | $58,000 | $52,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 52,542 idx | 52,254 idx |
| Household Income | $56,280 | $63,750 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 4.3°F of each other.
For sunshine, Soldotna comes out ahead with 83 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Wrangell sees 119.8 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Soldotna | Wrangell |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 38.70°F | 43.00°F |
| Summer High | 62.10°F | 64.70°F |
| Winter Low | 14.60°F | 21.00°F |
| Rainfall | 37.40 in | 132.30 in |
| Snowfall | 63.70 in | 183.50 in |
| Sunny Days | 223 | 140 |
| Humidity | 72.00% | 78.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Wrangell has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,500 minutes (42 hours) per year compared to Soldotna.
For walkability, Wrangell leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Soldotna | Wrangell |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 14 min | 9 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 35.0/100 |
| Walkability | 45.0/100 | 58.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 38.00 | 20.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Soldotna is the larger city
— approximately 2.2x the population of Wrangell.
From a growth perspective, Soldotna is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Wrangell has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Soldotna | Wrangell |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 4,485 | 2,007 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.19% | — |
| Median Age | 33.1 | 48.1 |
| Unemployment | 5.90% | 3.00% |
| 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%.
Wrangell
Advantages
Median monthly rent for multi-family units ranks among the most affordable in Southeast Alaska per state labor reports
Exceptionally low violent crime rates offer a safe, secure environment for families and retirees
Unrivaled proximity to pristine wilderness, sportfishing, and outdoor recreational opportunities
A tight-knit, supportive community with high civic engagement and volunteerism
Local employment stability anchored by healthcare, public administration, and seafood processing
Drawbacks
Geographic isolation drives up the cost of groceries, freight, and goods shipped to the island
Limited housing inventory and low rental vacancy rates can make finding accommodation difficult
Harsh winter weather with heavy snowfall and limited daylight hours requires lifestyle adjustments
Employment opportunities are narrow, heavily concentrated in seasonal or resource-dependent sectors
Travel to the mainland requires reliance on ferries or regional air services, increasing transit costs
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
Wrangell
#384Alaska, USA
59.2 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,100
Avg Salary
$63,750
Cost Index
122
Commute
9 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
140/yr
Avg Temp
43.00°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
3.00%
Livability
78
Business
62
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