Ketchikan, AK vs Nome, AK

Ketchikan is moderately more affordable than Nome, with a 6.6% lower cost of living index. Ketchikan scores 105 compared to 112 for Nome, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Nome can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Ketchikan is $1,319/month compared to $1,567/month in Nome — a 16% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Ketchikan has cheaper rent, Nome actually has lower median home values ($338,900 vs $340,300).

Median household income in Ketchikan is $76,835 compared to $113,561 in Nome (-32.3%). While Nome is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Ketchikan spend roughly 20.6% of their income on rent, more than the 16.6% in Nome.

Climate-wise, Ketchikan is notably warmer with an average of 46°F compared to 28°F in Nome. Ketchikan receives more rainfall at 149.5" per year compared to 17.2" in Nome.