Performance
Score Breakdown
Sitka
Northport
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Sitka is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
93% lower compared to Northport.
Housing costs are a major driver: Sitka's average rent is
100% lower than Northport's.
| Metric | Sitka | Northport | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $0 | $1,500 | -100% |
| Groceries | $0 | $423 | -100% |
| Utilities | $194 | $158 | +23% |
| Transport | $0 | $385 | -100% |
| Healthcare | $0 | $263 | -100% |
| Monthly Total | $194 | $2,729 | -93% |
| Cost Index | 117 | 98 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Northport offers 100% lower average salaries.
| Metric | Sitka | Northport |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $0 | $43,761 |
| Salary Needed | $0 | $40,836 |
| Household Income | $101,727 | $80,913 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Sitka runs warmer on average — a 43.9°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Sitka comes out ahead with 111 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Sitka sees 198.7 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Sitka | Northport |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 43.90°F | °F |
| Summer High | 60.80°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 28.20°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 138.90 in | in |
| Snowfall | 198.70 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 111 | |
| Humidity | % | 72.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Sitka has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
4,500 minutes (75 hours) per year compared to Northport.
Northport scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Northport leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Sitka | Northport |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 13 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 0.0/10 | 10.0/10 |
| Walkability | 0.0/10 | 27.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | ||
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Northport is the larger city
— approximately 0.2x the population of Sitka.
From a growth perspective, Northport is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Northport has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Sitka | Northport |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 8,368 | 33,797 |
| Pop. Growth | % | 4.10% |
| Median Age | 39.7 | 36.8 |
| Unemployment | 3.10% | 2.30% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Sitka
Advantages
Sitka has a livability score of 85/100, ranking it in the 98th percentile of all cities.
The average one-way commute time in Sitka is 13 minutes, significantly shorter than the national average.
Sitka's crime rate is far below the national average, making it a very safe place to live.
The median household income in Sitka was $101,727 in 2024, exceeding the national average.
The healthcare sector in Sitka experienced an 8% growth in jobs and an 18% rise in wages from 2022 to 2024.
Drawbacks
The cost of living in Sitka is 17% higher than the national average.
Housing shortages and pricing are significant concerns for residents and employers.
The seafood industry, a key economic sector, saw a decline in earnings and jobs from 2023 to 2024.
Sitka's population is on a steady downward trajectory, with a loss of 10.5% from 2014 to 2024.
The average residential electricity bill in Sitka is higher than the national average.
Northport
Advantages
The cost of living in Northport is 2% lower than the U.S. national average, with housing costs being 23.8% lower.
Northport is known for being a safe place to live, contributing to peace of mind for residents.
The city boasts a livability score of 76 out of 100, ranking well for amenities, cost of living, and housing.
The median household income in Northport was $80,913 in 2024, reflecting a 4.03% one-year growth.
The average home value increased by 2.3% over the past year to $268,786 as of April 2026.
Drawbacks
Public transportation options within Northport are very limited, making the city largely car-dependent.
The average Walk Score for Northport is 27, indicating that most errands require a car.
While the overall cost of living is lower, food expenses are slightly above the national average.
Job growth rate data for Northport specifically is not readily available, with some data indicating a slight decline in employed population in 2024.
Summers in Northport are long, hot, and muggy, which can be uncomfortable for some residents.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Sitka
#7Alaska, USA
85.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$0
Avg Salary
$0
Cost Index
117
Commute
13 min
Transit Score
0.0/10
Walkability
0.0/10
Sunny Days
111/yr
Avg Temp
43.90°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
3.10%
Livability
85
Business
85
Northport
#21Alabama, USA
72.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,500
Avg Salary
$43,761
Cost Index
98
Commute
22 min
Transit Score
10.0/10
Walkability
27.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
4.10%
Unemployment
2.30%
Livability
76
Business
65
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