Old Harbor, AK vs Whittier, AK

Old Harbor, AK and Whittier, AK have a very similar cost of living, with only a 3% difference in their overall index. Old Harbor scores 71 while Whittier scores 73 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 Old Harbor is $863/month compared to $965/month in Whittier — a 11% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Old Harbor has cheaper rent, Whittier actually has lower median home values ($83,500 vs $95,000).

Median household income in Old Harbor is $31,250 compared to $57,188 in Whittier (-45.4%). While Whittier 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 20.2% in Whittier. The Whittier ratio exceeds the commonly recommended 30% threshold, which can put pressure on household budgets.

Climate-wise, Old Harbor is notably warmer with an average of 42.2°F compared to 37.1°F in Whittier. Whittier receives more rainfall at 159.3" per year compared to 78.3" in Old Harbor.