City Comparison
Wrangell vs Unalaska
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Wrangell scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Wrangell
Unalaska
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Wrangell is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
18% lower than in Unalaska.
Housing costs are a major driver: Wrangell's average rent is
33% lower than Unalaska's.
| Metric | Wrangell | Unalaska | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,100 | $1,650 | -33% |
| Groceries | $520 | $500 | +4% |
| Utilities | $220 | $180 | +22% |
| Transport | $150 | $150 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $280 | $300 | -7% |
| Monthly Total | $2,270 | $2,780 | -18% |
| Cost Index | 122 | 135 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Unalaska offers 11% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Unalaska delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Wrangell is estimated at
$52,000 vs $65,000 in Unalaska.
| Metric | Wrangell | Unalaska |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $63,750 | $72,000 |
| Salary Needed | $52,000 | $65,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 52,254 idx | 53,333 idx |
| Household Income | $63,750 | $131,964 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0.8°F of each other.
For sunshine, Unalaska comes out ahead with 16 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Wrangell sees 89.4 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Wrangell | Unalaska |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 43.00°F | 42.20°F |
| Summer High | 64.70°F | 55.70°F |
| Winter Low | 21.00°F | 33.20°F |
| Rainfall | 132.30 in | 68.80 in |
| Snowfall | 183.50 in | 94.10 in |
| Sunny Days | 140 | 156 |
| Humidity | 78.00% | 80.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Unalaska has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
1,500 minutes (25 hours) per year compared to Wrangell.
Wrangell scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Wrangell leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Wrangell | Unalaska |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 9 min | 6 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 30.0/100 |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 20.00 | 35.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Unalaska is the larger city
— approximately 0.5x the population of Wrangell.
From a growth perspective, Unalaska 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 | Unalaska |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,007 | 4,308 |
| Pop. Growth | — | 0.05% |
| Median Age | 48.1 | 40.4 |
| 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
Unalaska
Advantages
Unalaska's port of Dutch Harbor has led the nation in commercial fish landings volume for decades per municipal data.
Median household incomes are robust, averaging $131,964 according to U.S. Census Bureau estimates.
Violent crime is exceptionally low, offering a secure and tight-knit community atmosphere.
Proximity to pristine wilderness, world-class sport fishing, and dramatic Aleutian landscapes.
Rich multicultural environment shaped by long-standing Alaska Native heritage and international seafood workers.
Drawbacks
Extreme isolation results in high grocery and freight costs, running significantly above the U.S. average.
Severe subarctic weather and high winds frequently disrupt air travel and cargo shipping.
Very tight local housing inventory with elevated home purchase and rental costs.
Limited options for retail shopping, dining, and specialized medical care on the island.
Harsh, wet, and windy winters with limited daylight hours.
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
Unalaska
#487Alaska, USA
53.7 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,650
Avg Salary
$72,000
Cost Index
135
Commute
6 min
Transit Score
30.0/100
Walkability
55.0/100
Sunny Days
156/yr
Avg Temp
42.20°F
Pop. Growth
0.05%
Unemployment
4.50%
Livability
72
Business
65
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