Performance
Score Breakdown
Bloomington
Sitka
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Bloomington is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
2% lower compared to Sitka.
Housing costs are a major driver: Bloomington's average rent is
27% lower than Sitka's.
| Metric | Bloomington | Sitka | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,100 | $1,498 | -27% |
| Groceries | $685 | $500 | +37% |
| Utilities | $391 | $200 | +96% |
| Transport | $300 | $150 | +100% |
| Healthcare | $120 | $300 | -60% |
| Monthly Total | $2,596 | $2,648 | -2% |
| Cost Index | 89 | 130 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Sitka offers 21% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Bloomington delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Bloomington is estimated at
$44,700 vs $75,000 in Sitka.
| Metric | Bloomington | Sitka |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $76,000 | $95,900 |
| Salary Needed | $44,700 | $75,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 85,393 idx | 73,769 idx |
| Household Income | $77,384 | $101,727 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Bloomington | Sitka |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | % | 85.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Sitka has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,000 minutes (33 hours) per year compared to Bloomington.
Sitka scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Sitka leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Bloomington | Sitka |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 17 min | 13 min |
| Transit Score | 50.0/10 | 65.0/10 |
| Walkability | 60.0/10 | 73.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 35.00 | 20.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Bloomington is the larger city
— approximately 9.5x the population of Sitka.
From a growth perspective, Bloomington is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Sitka has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Bloomington | Sitka |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 79,268 | 8,307 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.20% | % |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 39.7 |
| Unemployment | 3.90% | 3.30% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Bloomington
Advantages
The cost of living in Bloomington is 11% lower than the national average, making it an affordable place to reside.
Bloomington boasts a strong job market with a 2.83% job growth rate from 2023 to 2024, particularly in Finance & Insurance and Healthcare.
The average commute time is 17 minutes, significantly shorter than the national average, leading to less time spent in traffic.
The median household income of $77,384 in 2024 is competitive, supporting a comfortable lifestyle.
The city offers a balanced quality of life with access to good hospitals, schools, and recreational activities.
Drawbacks
Utilities costs in Bloomington are 5.7% higher than the national average, potentially impacting monthly budgets.
Healthcare costs are 6.2% higher than the national average, which could be a consideration for residents.
Public transportation options are available, but the city exhibits high car dependency, with 75% of residents using personal vehicles for commuting.
While generally safe, the city has an average crime rate, suggesting areas where vigilance may be necessary.
The median rent of $1,100 per month, while affordable compared to national averages, can still be a significant expense for some households.
Sitka
Advantages
Sitka boasts crime rates that are 66% lower than the Alaska average and a violent crime rate far below the national average, making it a very safe place to live.
The city offers unparalleled access to nature, including over 50 miles of trails, world-class fishing, and opportunities for boating and camping within the Tongass National Forest.
Residents benefit from a very walkable community, with a Walk Score of 73 out of 100, allowing most errands to be accomplished on foot.
Alaska has no state sales tax, inheritance tax, or personal property tax, which can be a financial advantage for residents.
The median household income in Sitka was $101,727 in 2024, significantly exceeding the national average.
Drawbacks
The cost of living in Sitka is high, particularly for groceries and medical care, due to its remote island location and reliance on shipped goods.
Sitka experiences a housing shortage, especially during peak months, and a lack of affordable housing is a key workforce challenge.
The city's remote location means long travel times and challenges with shipping items, as it is only accessible by boat or plane and has no road connections to other towns.
Sitka has an oceanic climate characterized by abundant precipitation and long, overcast winters, with rain being common year-round.
A lack of affordable childcare is a significant challenge for working families in Sitka.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Bloomington
#21Illinois, USA
72.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,100
Avg Salary
$76,000
Cost Index
89
Commute
17 min
Transit Score
50.0/10
Walkability
60.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.20%
Unemployment
3.90%
Livability
74
Business
70
Sitka
#18Alaska, USA
74.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,498
Avg Salary
$95,900
Cost Index
130
Commute
13 min
Transit Score
65.0/10
Walkability
73.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
3.30%
Livability
86
Business
75
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