Soldotna, AK vs Wasilla, AK

Soldotna, AK and Wasilla, AK have a very similar cost of living, with only a 4.7% difference in their overall index. Soldotna scores 93 while Wasilla scores 98 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 Soldotna is $1,104/month compared to $1,104/month in Wasilla — a 0% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Wasilla has cheaper rent, Soldotna actually has lower median home values ($277,300 vs $325,000).

Median household income in Soldotna is $62,984 compared to $70,756 in Wasilla (-11%). While Wasilla is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Soldotna spend roughly 21% of their income on rent, more than the 18.7% in Wasilla.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (35.6°F vs 37.1°F). Soldotna receives more rainfall at 18.3" per year compared to 12.6" in Wasilla.