Performance
Score Breakdown
Aberdeen
Anchorage
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Aberdeen is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
45% lower compared to Anchorage.
Housing costs are a major driver: Aberdeen's average rent is
45% lower than Anchorage's.
| Metric | Aberdeen | Anchorage | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,081 | $1,950 | -45% |
| Groceries | $400 | $670 | -40% |
| Utilities | $180 | $310 | -42% |
| Transport | $120 | $240 | -50% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $520 | -52% |
| Monthly Total | $2,031 | $3,690 | -45% |
| Cost Index | 94 | 119 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Anchorage offers 31% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Anchorage delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Aberdeen is estimated at
$43,240 vs $79,000 in Anchorage.
| Metric | Aberdeen | Anchorage |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $57,742 | $84,000 |
| Salary Needed | $43,240 | $79,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 61,428 idx | 70,588 idx |
| Household Income | $64,405 | $86,500 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Anchorage runs warmer on average — a 37.5°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Anchorage comes out ahead with 126 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Anchorage sees 79.2 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Aberdeen | Anchorage |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | 37.50°F |
| Summer High | °F | 66.00°F |
| Winter Low | °F | 11.00°F |
| Rainfall | in | 16.50 in |
| Snowfall | in | 79.20 in |
| Sunny Days | 126 | |
| Humidity | % | 75.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Aberdeen has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
4,000 minutes (67 hours) per year compared to Anchorage.
Anchorage scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Anchorage leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Aberdeen | Anchorage |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 12 min | 20 min |
| Transit Score | 0.0/10 | 31.5/10 |
| Walkability | 39.0/10 | 42.2/10 |
| Traffic Index | 40.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Anchorage is the larger city
— approximately 0.1x the population of Aberdeen.
From a growth perspective, Anchorage is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Aberdeen has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Aberdeen | Anchorage |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 28,189 | 291,247 |
| Pop. Growth | % | 0.70% |
| Median Age | 36.4 | 34.5 |
| Unemployment | 1.70% | 5.20% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $57.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Aberdeen
Advantages
Aberdeen boasts a significantly lower cost of living, estimated to be 6% below the U.S. national average in 2026.
The average commute time in Aberdeen is exceptionally short, at just 11.9 minutes as of 2024.
The violent crime rate is 72% below the national average, contributing to a high safety score.
Aberdeen has a high industry diversity of 98.7%, indicating strong economic stability.
Avera St. Luke's Hospital was recognized among America's 100 Best for Coronary Intervention in 2026, highlighting quality healthcare.
Drawbacks
Aberdeen's population is currently declining, with a projected annual rate of -0.37% in 2026.
The city is largely car-dependent, with a walkability score of 39 and limited public transit options.
Employment in Aberdeen declined by -2.54% from 2023 to 2024.
Winters in Aberdeen are described as freezing, snowy, and windy, with an average January low of 6°F.
Some healthcare facilities, like Sanford Aberdeen Medical Center, declined to respond to Leapfrog Group on several patient safety and equity measures.
Anchorage
Advantages
Outdoor lifestyle opportunities
Drawbacks
Higher living costs
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Aberdeen
#8South Dakota, USA
78.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,081
Avg Salary
$57,742
Cost Index
94
Commute
12 min
Transit Score
0.0/10
Walkability
39.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
1.70%
Livability
80
Business
75
Anchorage
#4Alaska, USA
84.8 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,950
Avg Salary
$84,000
Cost Index
119
Commute
20 min
Transit Score
31.5/10
Walkability
42.2/10
Sunny Days
126/yr
Avg Temp
37.50°F
Pop. Growth
0.70%
Unemployment
5.20%
Livability
87
Business
82
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