City Comparison
Valdez vs Anchorage
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Valdez scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Valdez
Anchorage
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Valdez is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
20% lower than in Anchorage.
Housing costs are a major driver: Valdez's average rent is
15% lower than Anchorage's.
| Metric | Valdez | Anchorage | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,350 | $1,583 | -15% |
| Groceries | $520 | $623 | -17% |
| Utilities | $220 | $409 | -46% |
| Transport | $150 | $350 | -57% |
| Healthcare | $280 | $200 | +40% |
| Monthly Total | $2,520 | $3,165 | -20% |
| Cost Index | 128 | 125 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Valdez offers 10% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Valdez delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Valdez is estimated at
$60,000 vs $125,309 in Anchorage.
| Metric | Valdez | Anchorage |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $68,000 | $61,814 |
| Salary Needed | $60,000 | $125,309 |
| Purchasing Power | 53,125 idx | 49,451 idx |
| Household Income | $99,271 | $103,284 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Valdez runs warmer on average — a 38.9°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Valdez comes out ahead with 139 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Valdez sees 419.7 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Valdez | Anchorage |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 38.90°F | °F |
| Summer High | 60.90°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 18.60°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 115.50 in | in |
| Snowfall | 419.70 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 139 | |
| Humidity | 72.00% | % |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Valdez has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,500 minutes (58 hours) per year compared to Anchorage.
Anchorage scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Valdez leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Valdez | Anchorage |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 11 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 52.0/100 |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 31.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 25.00 | 31.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Anchorage is the larger city
.
From a growth perspective, Valdez is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Anchorage has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Valdez | Anchorage |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 3,847 | 286,278 |
| Pop. Growth | — | — |
| Median Age | 38.4 | 35.2 |
| Unemployment | 4.80% | 4.10% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Valdez
Advantages
Average home values remain relatively stable around $351,711 per recent Zillow market data.
Residents enjoy zero state income tax and benefit from annual Alaska Permanent Fund Dividend payouts.
Exceptional proximity to world-class glaciers, sportfishing, and backcountry winter recreation.
High-wage career opportunities centered around the Trans-Alaska Pipeline marine terminal and energy sector.
Extremely low crime rates and a strong, supportive community-oriented atmosphere.
Drawbacks
High cost of living driven by freight and shipping expenses inherent to remote coastal Alaska geography.
Challenging rental market inventory with a significant portion of housing utilized for seasonal or corporate needs.
Severe winter weather conditions featuring heavy snowfall averaging over 400 inches annually.
Limited local availability for specialized medical care, often requiring transit to Anchorage.
Geographic isolation with limited road access routes out of the community during heavy winter storms.
Anchorage
Advantages
No state income tax allows residents to keep a larger portion of their earnings.
Exceptional access to stunning natural beauty and outdoor recreational activities.
Strong job market in key sectors like healthcare, oil & gas, and transportation.
Friendly community and welcoming atmosphere with a small-town feel.
Shorter average commute time compared to the national average.
Drawbacks
Overall cost of living is significantly higher than the national average.
Higher property crime rate compared to the national average.
Limited public transportation options lead to high car dependency.
Challenging winter weather conditions with short daylight hours.
Elevated healthcare costs compared to the national average.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Valdez
#399Alaska, USA
58.4 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,350
Avg Salary
$68,000
Cost Index
128
Commute
11 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
139/yr
Avg Temp
38.90°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.80%
Livability
76
Business
67
Anchorage
#605Alaska, USA
35.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,583
Avg Salary
$61,814
Cost Index
125
Commute
18 min
Transit Score
52.0/100
Walkability
31.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.10%
Livability
72
Business
68
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