Performance
Score Breakdown
Madison
Sitka
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Sitka is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
1544% higher compared to Madison.
| Metric | Madison | Sitka | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,760 | $0 | 0% |
| Groceries | $550 | $0 | 0% |
| Utilities | $245 | $194 | +26% |
| Transport | $195 | $0 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $440 | $0 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $3,190 | $194 | +1544% |
| Cost Index | 103 | 117 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Madison offers similar average salaries.
| Metric | Madison | Sitka |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $89,500 | $0 |
| Salary Needed | $73,000 | $0 |
| Household Income | $89,100 | $101,727 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Madison runs warmer on average — a 19°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Madison comes out ahead with 103 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Sitka sees 196.9 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Madison | Sitka |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 62.90°F | 43.90°F |
| Summer High | 89.00°F | 60.80°F |
| Winter Low | 33.00°F | 28.20°F |
| Rainfall | 55.00 in | 138.90 in |
| Snowfall | 1.80 in | 198.70 in |
| Sunny Days | 214 | 111 |
| Humidity | 66.00% | % |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Madison is the larger city
— approximately 7.3x the population of Sitka.
From a growth perspective, Madison is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Madison has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Madison | Sitka |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 61,000 | 8,368 |
| Pop. Growth | 2.40% | % |
| Median Age | 35.2 | 39.7 |
| Unemployment | 2.40% | 3.10% |
| GDP | $9.8B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Madison
Advantages
High incomes and safety
Drawbacks
Housing costs rising
Sitka
Advantages
Sitka has a livability score of 85/100, ranking it in the 98th percentile of all cities.
The average one-way commute time in Sitka is 13 minutes, significantly shorter than the national average.
Sitka's crime rate is far below the national average, making it a very safe place to live.
The median household income in Sitka was $101,727 in 2024, exceeding the national average.
The healthcare sector in Sitka experienced an 8% growth in jobs and an 18% rise in wages from 2022 to 2024.
Drawbacks
The cost of living in Sitka is 17% higher than the national average.
Housing shortages and pricing are significant concerns for residents and employers.
The seafood industry, a key economic sector, saw a decline in earnings and jobs from 2023 to 2024.
Sitka's population is on a steady downward trajectory, with a loss of 10.5% from 2014 to 2024.
The average residential electricity bill in Sitka is higher than the national average.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Madison
#1Alabama, USA
91.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,760
Avg Salary
$89,500
Cost Index
103
Sunny Days
214/yr
Avg Temp
62.90°F
Pop. Growth
2.40%
Unemployment
2.40%
Livability
92
Business
89
Sitka
#3Alaska, USA
85.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$0
Avg Salary
$0
Cost Index
117
Sunny Days
111/yr
Avg Temp
43.90°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
3.10%
Livability
85
Business
85
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