Kenai, AK vs Seward, AK

Kenai, AK and Seward, AK have a very similar cost of living, with only a 2.8% difference in their overall index. Kenai scores 92 while Seward scores 94 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Kenai is $1,134/month compared to $1,109/month in Seward — a 2% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Seward has cheaper rent, Kenai actually has lower median home values ($249,400 vs $290,300).

Median household income in Kenai is $74,907 compared to $71,016 in Seward (+5.5%). Kenai offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Kenai spend roughly 18.2% of their income on rent, less than the 18.7% in Seward.

Climate-wise, Seward is notably warmer with an average of 40.4°F compared to 35.6°F in Kenai. Seward receives more rainfall at 69.7" per year compared to 18.3" in Kenai.