City Comparison
Valdez vs Wasilla
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Valdez scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Valdez
Wasilla
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Valdez is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
14% lower than in Wasilla.
Housing costs are a major driver: Valdez's average rent is
32% lower than Wasilla's.
| Metric | Valdez | Wasilla | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,350 | $1,995 | -32% |
| Groceries | $520 | $400 | +30% |
| Utilities | $220 | $180 | +22% |
| Transport | $150 | $120 | +25% |
| Healthcare | $280 | $250 | +12% |
| Monthly Total | $2,520 | $2,945 | -14% |
| Cost Index | 128 | 122 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Valdez offers 1% 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 Valdez is estimated at
$60,000 vs $55,000 in Wasilla.
| Metric | Valdez | Wasilla |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $68,000 | $67,234 |
| Salary Needed | $60,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 53,125 idx | 55,110 idx |
| Household Income | $99,271 | $67,234 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 1°F of each other.
For sunshine, Wasilla comes out ahead with 81 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Valdez sees 334.8 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Valdez | Wasilla |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 38.90°F | 39.90°F |
| Summer High | 60.90°F | 65.00°F |
| Winter Low | 18.60°F | 17.00°F |
| Rainfall | 115.50 in | 45.70 in |
| Snowfall | 419.70 in | 84.90 in |
| Sunny Days | 139 | 220 |
| Humidity | 72.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Valdez has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
9,500 minutes (158 hours) per year compared to Wasilla.
For walkability, Valdez leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Valdez | Wasilla |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 11 min | 30 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 35.0/100 |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 42.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 25.00 | 52.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Wasilla is the larger city
— approximately 0.4x the population of Valdez.
From a growth perspective, Wasilla is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Wasilla has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Valdez | Wasilla |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 3,847 | 9,720 |
| Pop. Growth | — | 2.81% |
| Median Age | 38.4 | 34.8 |
| Unemployment | 4.80% | 4.50% |
| 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.
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.
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
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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