City Comparison
Unalaska vs Wasilla
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Wasilla scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Unalaska
Wasilla
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Unalaska is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
6% lower than in Wasilla.
Housing costs are a major driver: Unalaska's average rent is
17% lower than Wasilla's.
| Metric | Unalaska | Wasilla | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,650 | $1,995 | -17% |
| Groceries | $500 | $400 | +25% |
| Utilities | $180 | $180 | 0% |
| Transport | $150 | $120 | +25% |
| Healthcare | $300 | $250 | +20% |
| Monthly Total | $2,780 | $2,945 | -6% |
| Cost Index | 135 | 122 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Unalaska offers 7% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Wasilla delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Unalaska is estimated at
$65,000 vs $55,000 in Wasilla.
| Metric | Unalaska | Wasilla |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $72,000 | $67,234 |
| Salary Needed | $65,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 53,333 idx | 55,110 idx |
| Household Income | $131,964 | $67,234 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 2.3°F of each other.
For sunshine, Wasilla comes out ahead with 64 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Unalaska sees 9.2 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Unalaska | Wasilla |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 42.20°F | 39.90°F |
| Summer High | 55.70°F | 65.00°F |
| Winter Low | 33.20°F | 17.00°F |
| Rainfall | 68.80 in | 45.70 in |
| Snowfall | 94.10 in | 84.90 in |
| Sunny Days | 156 | 220 |
| Humidity | 80.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Unalaska has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
12,000 minutes (200 hours) per year compared to Wasilla.
Wasilla scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Unalaska leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Unalaska | Wasilla |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 6 min | 30 min |
| Transit Score | 30.0/100 | 35.0/100 |
| Walkability | 55.0/100 | 42.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 35.00 | 52.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Wasilla is the larger city
— approximately 0.4x the population of Unalaska.
From a growth perspective, Wasilla is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
| Metric | Unalaska | Wasilla |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 4,308 | 9,720 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.05% | 2.81% |
| Median Age | 40.4 | 34.8 |
| Unemployment | 4.50% | 4.50% |
| 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.
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.
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
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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