City Comparison
Valdez vs Sitka
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Valdez scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Valdez
Sitka
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Valdez is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
5% lower than in Sitka.
Housing costs are a major driver: Valdez's average rent is
10% lower than Sitka's.
| Metric | Valdez | Sitka | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,350 | $1,498 | -10% |
| Groceries | $520 | $500 | +4% |
| Utilities | $220 | $200 | +10% |
| Transport | $150 | $150 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $280 | $300 | -7% |
| Monthly Total | $2,520 | $2,648 | -5% |
| Cost Index | 128 | 130 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Sitka offers 29% 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 Valdez is estimated at
$60,000 vs $75,000 in Sitka.
| Metric | Valdez | Sitka |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $68,000 | $95,900 |
| Salary Needed | $60,000 | $75,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 53,125 idx | 73,769 idx |
| Household Income | $99,271 | $101,727 |
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 | Sitka |
|---|---|---|
| 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% | 85.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other.
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 | Valdez | Sitka |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 11 min | 13 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 65.0/100 |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 73.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 25.00 | 20.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Sitka is the larger city
— approximately 0.5x the population of Valdez.
From a growth perspective, Valdez 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 | Valdez | Sitka |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 3,847 | 8,307 |
| Pop. Growth | — | — |
| Median Age | 38.4 | 39.7 |
| Unemployment | 4.80% | 3.30% |
| 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.
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.
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
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
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