City Comparison
Soldotna vs Wasilla
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Wasilla scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Soldotna
Wasilla
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Wasilla is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
2% lower than in Soldotna.
| Metric | Soldotna | Wasilla | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,850 | $1,995 | -7% |
| Groceries | $520 | $400 | +30% |
| Utilities | $210 | $180 | +17% |
| Transport | $140 | $120 | +17% |
| Healthcare | $270 | $250 | +8% |
| Monthly Total | $2,990 | $2,945 | +2% |
| Cost Index | 118 | 122 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Wasilla offers 8% lower 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 Soldotna is estimated at
$58,000 vs $55,000 in Wasilla.
| Metric | Soldotna | Wasilla |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $62,000 | $67,234 |
| Salary Needed | $58,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 52,542 idx | 55,110 idx |
| Household Income | $56,280 | $67,234 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 1.2°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Wasilla sees 21.2 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Soldotna | Wasilla |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 38.70°F | 39.90°F |
| Summer High | 62.10°F | 65.00°F |
| Winter Low | 14.60°F | 17.00°F |
| Rainfall | 37.40 in | 45.70 in |
| Snowfall | 63.70 in | 84.90 in |
| Sunny Days | 223 | 220 |
| Humidity | 72.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Soldotna has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
8,000 minutes (133 hours) per year compared to Wasilla.
For walkability, Soldotna leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Soldotna | Wasilla |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 14 min | 30 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 35.0/100 |
| Walkability | 45.0/100 | 42.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 38.00 | 52.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Wasilla is the larger city
— approximately 0.5x the population of Soldotna.
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 | Soldotna | Wasilla |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 4,485 | 9,720 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.19% | 2.81% |
| Median Age | 33.1 | 34.8 |
| Unemployment | 5.90% | 4.50% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Soldotna
Advantages
Median home values remain relatively accessible at around $306,000 compared to broader U.S. coastal markets.
World-class access to salmon fishing and outdoor recreation directly within city limits along the Kenai River.
Short average commute times of under 15 minutes allow for an unhurried daily routine.
Serves as a robust regional healthcare hub anchored by Central Peninsula Hospital.
High rates of U.S. citizenship and a strong, tight-knit community civic engagement profile.
Drawbacks
Higher overall cost of living driven by freight and remote shipping expenses for everyday goods.
Limited public transportation infrastructure enforces high car dependency.
Severe winter conditions and limited daylight hours require substantial seasonal adjustment.
Rental market volatility during summer months due to seasonal tourism and fishing worker influxes.
Poverty rate sits somewhat higher than national averages at approximately 16.4%.
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.
Soldotna
#554Alaska, USA
47.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,850
Avg Salary
$62,000
Cost Index
118
Commute
14 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
45.0/100
Sunny Days
223/yr
Avg Temp
38.70°F
Pop. Growth
1.19%
Unemployment
5.90%
Livability
75
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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