City Comparison
Kodiak vs Wasilla
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Kodiak scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Kodiak
Wasilla
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Wasilla is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
18% lower than in Kodiak.
Housing costs are a major driver: Kodiak's average rent is
18% higher than Wasilla's.
| Metric | Kodiak | Wasilla | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,350 | $1,995 | +18% |
| Groceries | $550 | $400 | +38% |
| Utilities | $220 | $180 | +22% |
| Transport | $150 | $120 | +25% |
| Healthcare | $300 | $250 | +20% |
| Monthly Total | $3,570 | $2,945 | +21% |
| Cost Index | 132 | 122 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Kodiak offers 6% 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 Kodiak is estimated at
$62,000 vs $55,000 in Wasilla.
| Metric | Kodiak | Wasilla |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $71,000 | $67,234 |
| Salary Needed | $62,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 53,788 idx | 55,110 idx |
| Household Income | $90,292 | $67,234 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 3.3°F of each other.
For sunshine, Wasilla comes out ahead with 49 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Wasilla sees 42 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Kodiak | Wasilla |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 43.20°F | 39.90°F |
| Summer High | 58.00°F | 65.00°F |
| Winter Low | 31.60°F | 17.00°F |
| Rainfall | 70.70 in | 45.70 in |
| Snowfall | 42.90 in | 84.90 in |
| Sunny Days | 171 | 220 |
| Humidity | 78.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Kodiak has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
7,500 minutes (125 hours) per year compared to Wasilla.
For walkability, Kodiak leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Kodiak | Wasilla |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 15 min | 30 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 35.0/100 |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 42.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 30.00 | 52.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Wasilla is the larger city
— approximately 0.5x the population of Kodiak.
From a growth perspective, Wasilla is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Kodiak has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Kodiak | Wasilla |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 5,214 | 9,720 |
| Pop. Growth | — | 2.81% |
| Median Age | 40.2 | 34.8 |
| Unemployment | 2.50% | 4.50% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Kodiak
Advantages
Median household income in Kodiak stands at a robust $90,292, outpacing many rural US regions per Census data
World-class commercial fishing, sportfishing, and pristine wilderness right outside your door
Extremely low crime rates and high community safety compared to the national average
Rich cultural diversity with a vibrant Alutiiq heritage and significant Asian and Pacific Islander community presence
Strong local economy anchored by the U.S. Coast Guard base and stable seafood processing industries
Drawbacks
Average monthly rent of $2,350 reflects tight housing inventory and high island shipping expenses per Zillow/Zumper data
High cost of living driven by freight expenses for groceries, utilities, and building materials
Frequent overcast days, heavy rainfall (70.7 inches annually), and windy maritime weather
Isolated geography requires air or ferry travel for mainland access, increasing travel costs
Limited public transit infrastructure makes car ownership an absolute necessity
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.
Kodiak
#444Alaska, USA
55.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,350
Avg Salary
$71,000
Cost Index
132
Commute
15 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
171/yr
Avg Temp
43.20°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
2.50%
Livability
76
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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