City Comparison
Wrangell vs Wasilla
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Wrangell scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Wrangell
Wasilla
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Wrangell is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
23% lower than in Wasilla.
Housing costs are a major driver: Wrangell's average rent is
45% lower than Wasilla's.
| Metric | Wrangell | Wasilla | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,100 | $1,995 | -45% |
| Groceries | $520 | $400 | +30% |
| Utilities | $220 | $180 | +22% |
| Transport | $150 | $120 | +25% |
| Healthcare | $280 | $250 | +12% |
| Monthly Total | $2,270 | $2,945 | -23% |
| Cost Index | 122 | 122 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Wasilla offers 5% 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 Wrangell is estimated at
$52,000 vs $55,000 in Wasilla.
| Metric | Wrangell | Wasilla |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $63,750 | $67,234 |
| Salary Needed | $52,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 52,254 idx | 55,110 idx |
| Household Income | $63,750 | $67,234 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 3.1°F of each other.
For sunshine, Wasilla comes out ahead with 80 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Wrangell sees 98.6 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Wrangell | Wasilla |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 43.00°F | 39.90°F |
| Summer High | 64.70°F | 65.00°F |
| Winter Low | 21.00°F | 17.00°F |
| Rainfall | 132.30 in | 45.70 in |
| Snowfall | 183.50 in | 84.90 in |
| Sunny Days | 140 | 220 |
| Humidity | 78.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Wrangell has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
10,500 minutes (175 hours) per year compared to Wasilla.
For walkability, Wrangell leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Wrangell | Wasilla |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 9 min | 30 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 35.0/100 |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 42.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 20.00 | 52.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Wasilla is the larger city
— approximately 0.2x the population of Wrangell.
From a growth perspective, Wasilla is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Wrangell has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Wrangell | Wasilla |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,007 | 9,720 |
| Pop. Growth | — | 2.81% |
| Median Age | 48.1 | 34.8 |
| Unemployment | 3.00% | 4.50% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Wrangell
Advantages
Median monthly rent for multi-family units ranks among the most affordable in Southeast Alaska per state labor reports
Exceptionally low violent crime rates offer a safe, secure environment for families and retirees
Unrivaled proximity to pristine wilderness, sportfishing, and outdoor recreational opportunities
A tight-knit, supportive community with high civic engagement and volunteerism
Local employment stability anchored by healthcare, public administration, and seafood processing
Drawbacks
Geographic isolation drives up the cost of groceries, freight, and goods shipped to the island
Limited housing inventory and low rental vacancy rates can make finding accommodation difficult
Harsh winter weather with heavy snowfall and limited daylight hours requires lifestyle adjustments
Employment opportunities are narrow, heavily concentrated in seasonal or resource-dependent sectors
Travel to the mainland requires reliance on ferries or regional air services, increasing transit costs
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.
Wrangell
#384Alaska, USA
59.2 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,100
Avg Salary
$63,750
Cost Index
122
Commute
9 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
140/yr
Avg Temp
43.00°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
3.00%
Livability
78
Business
62
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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