Ketchikan, AK vs Valdez, AK

Ketchikan, AK and Valdez, AK have a very similar cost of living, with only a 2% difference in their overall index. Ketchikan scores 105 while Valdez scores 107 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 Ketchikan is $1,319/month compared to $1,463/month in Valdez — a 10% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Ketchikan has cheaper rent, Valdez actually has lower median home values ($312,400 vs $340,300).

Median household income in Ketchikan is $76,835 compared to $97,067 in Valdez (-20.8%). While Valdez 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 18.1% in Valdez.

Climate-wise, Ketchikan is notably warmer with an average of 46°F compared to 39.7°F in Valdez. Ketchikan receives more rainfall at 149.5" per year compared to 67.9" in Valdez.