Cold Bay, AK vs Selawik, AK

The cost of living difference between Cold Bay, AK and Selawik, AK is dramatic. Selawik is 67.7% cheaper than Cold Bay, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Cold Bay has a cost index of 96 while Selawik sits at 57, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

Renters will find that Cold Bay has a median rent of $1,141/month while Selawik comes in at $488/month, a 134% difference.

Median household income in Cold Bay is $112,273 compared to $50,833 in Selawik (+120.9%). While Cold Bay is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Cold Bay spend roughly 12.2% of their income on rent, more than the 11.5% in Selawik.

Climate-wise, Cold Bay is notably warmer with an average of 39.3°F compared to 24°F in Selawik. Cold Bay receives more rainfall at 42.7" per year compared to 11.4" in Selawik.