City Comparison
Cordova vs Sitka
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Cordova scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Cordova
Sitka
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Sitka is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
6% higher compared to Cordova.
Housing costs are a major driver: Cordova's average rent is
20% higher than Sitka's.
| Metric | Cordova | Sitka | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,800 | $1,498 | +20% |
| Groceries | $450 | $500 | -10% |
| Utilities | $180 | $200 | -10% |
| Transport | $120 | $150 | -20% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $300 | -17% |
| Monthly Total | $2,800 | $2,648 | +6% |
| Cost Index | 120 | 130 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Sitka offers 32% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Sitka delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Cordova is estimated at
$55,000 vs $75,000 in Sitka.
| Metric | Cordova | Sitka |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $65,000 | $95,900 |
| Salary Needed | $55,000 | $75,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 54,167 idx | 73,769 idx |
| Household Income | $85,132 | $101,727 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Cordova runs warmer on average — a 39.6°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Cordova comes out ahead with 144 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Cordova sees 261.4 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Cordova | Sitka |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 39.60°F | °F |
| Summer High | 60.50°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 19.30°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 118.60 in | in |
| Snowfall | 261.40 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 144 | |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 85.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Cordova has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,000 minutes (50 hours) per year compared to Sitka.
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 | Cordova | Sitka |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 7 min | 13 min |
| Transit Score | 55.0/10 | 65.0/10 |
| Walkability | 60.0/10 | 73.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 45.00 | 20.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Sitka is the larger city
— approximately 0.3x the population of Cordova.
From a growth perspective, Cordova 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 | Cordova | Sitka |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,353 | 8,307 |
| Pop. Growth | % | % |
| Median Age | 37.8 | 39.7 |
| Unemployment | 4.20% | 3.30% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Cordova
Advantages
Cordova boasts a crime rate significantly lower than the national and state averages, making it one of the safest places to live in Alaska.
The town offers a high quality of life with a livability score of 76/100, exceptional access to outdoor recreation, and a strong sense of community.
Alaska's tax-friendly environment, with no state sales or income tax, can help offset some of the higher costs associated with living in Cordova.
Cordova's median household income of $85,132 is higher than the national average, indicating a relatively strong earning potential for residents.
The community is deeply connected to its natural surroundings, offering a unique lifestyle for those who value outdoor activities and a close relationship with the environment.
Drawbacks
The cost of living in Cordova is approximately 20% higher than the U.S. national average, primarily due to elevated housing, transportation, and food costs.
Cordova's remote location means it is not connected to the state's road system, requiring travel by plane or ferry, which can be costly and time-consuming.
While Cordova has a critical access hospital, specialized medical care often requires travel to larger cities like Anchorage, impacting healthcare accessibility.
Housing costs, including both home prices and rent, are significantly higher than the national average, making affordability a challenge for some residents.
Job growth and diversity may be limited due to the town's small size and reliance on a few key industries, potentially impacting career advancement opportunities.
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.
Cordova
#69Alaska, USA
60.6 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,800
Avg Salary
$65,000
Cost Index
120
Commute
7 min
Transit Score
55.0/10
Walkability
60.0/10
Sunny Days
144/yr
Avg Temp
39.60°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.20%
Livability
74
Business
68
Sitka
#107Alaska, USA
53.9 / 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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