City Comparison
Unalaska vs Seward
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Seward scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Unalaska
Seward
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
| Metric | Unalaska | Seward | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,650 | $0 | 0% |
| Groceries | $500 | $0 | 0% |
| Utilities | $180 | $0 | 0% |
| Transport | $150 | $0 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $300 | $0 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $2,780 | $0 | 0% |
| Cost Index | 135 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Unalaska offers 2% higher average salaries.
| Metric | Unalaska | Seward |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $72,000 | $70,600 |
| Salary Needed | $65,000 | $0 |
| Household Income | $131,964 | $85,481 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 3.3°F of each other.
For sunshine, Unalaska comes out ahead with 18 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Seward sees 361.6 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Unalaska | Seward |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 42.20°F | 38.90°F |
| Summer High | 55.70°F | 60.90°F |
| Winter Low | 33.20°F | 18.80°F |
| Rainfall | 68.80 in | 134.50 in |
| Snowfall | 94.10 in | 455.70 in |
| Sunny Days | 156 | 138 |
| Humidity | 80.00% | % |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Unalaska has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,000 minutes (50 hours) per year compared to Seward.
Unalaska 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 | Unalaska | Seward |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 6 min | 12 min |
| Transit Score | 30.0/100 | — |
| Walkability | 55.0/100 | 60.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 35.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Unalaska is the larger city
— approximately 1.5x the population of Seward.
From a growth perspective, Seward 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 | Unalaska | Seward |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 4,308 | 2,794 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.05% | 0.97% |
| Median Age | 40.4 | 37.7 |
| Unemployment | 4.50% | 4.20% |
| 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.
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.
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
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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