Old Harbor, AK vs Thorne Bay, AK

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Old Harbor is 16.1% cheaper than Thorne Bay. With a cost index of 71 vs 84, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Old Harbor to Thorne Bay should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Old Harbor is $863/month compared to $934/month in Thorne Bay — a 8% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Old Harbor is more affordable at $95,000 median vs $234,600.

Median household income in Old Harbor is $31,250 compared to $61,750 in Thorne Bay (-49.4%). While Thorne 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 Old Harbor spend roughly 33.1% of their income on rent, more than the 18.2% in Thorne Bay. The Thorne Bay ratio exceeds the commonly recommended 30% threshold, which can put pressure on household budgets.

Climate-wise, Thorne Bay is notably warmer with an average of 45.2°F compared to 42.2°F in Old Harbor. Thorne Bay receives more rainfall at 89.2" per year compared to 78.3" in Old Harbor.