City Comparison
Wrangell vs Valdez
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Wrangell scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Wrangell
Valdez
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Wrangell is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
10% lower than in Valdez.
Housing costs are a major driver: Wrangell's average rent is
19% lower than Valdez's.
| Metric | Wrangell | Valdez | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,100 | $1,350 | -19% |
| Groceries | $520 | $520 | 0% |
| Utilities | $220 | $220 | 0% |
| Transport | $150 | $150 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $280 | $280 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $2,270 | $2,520 | -10% |
| Cost Index | 122 | 128 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Valdez offers 6% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Valdez delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Wrangell is estimated at
$52,000 vs $60,000 in Valdez.
| Metric | Wrangell | Valdez |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $63,750 | $68,000 |
| Salary Needed | $52,000 | $60,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 52,254 idx | 53,125 idx |
| Household Income | $63,750 | $99,271 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 4.1°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Valdez sees 236.2 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Wrangell | Valdez |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 43.00°F | 38.90°F |
| Summer High | 64.70°F | 60.90°F |
| Winter Low | 21.00°F | 18.60°F |
| Rainfall | 132.30 in | 115.50 in |
| Snowfall | 183.50 in | 419.70 in |
| Sunny Days | 140 | 139 |
| Humidity | 78.00% | 72.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other.
| Metric | Wrangell | Valdez |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 9 min | 11 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 35.0/100 |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 58.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 20.00 | 25.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Valdez is the larger city
— approximately 0.5x the population of Wrangell.
From a growth perspective, Wrangell 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 | Valdez |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,007 | 3,847 |
| Pop. Growth | — | — |
| Median Age | 48.1 | 38.4 |
| Unemployment | 3.00% | 4.80% |
| 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
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.
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
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
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