CountyScore

Kodiak Island Borough

Alaska · AK

#23 in Alaska
59.9
County Score

County Report Card

About Kodiak Island Borough, Alaska

Kodiak exceeds U.S. livability baseline

Kodiak Island Borough scores 59.9, nearly 20% above the national median of 50.0, placing it in the upper-middle tier of U.S. counties. The borough's strength lies in reasonable incomes (median $83,716) and tax efficiency (0.917% rate), though these are tempered by higher housing costs and moderate health outcomes. It's a solid if unremarkable livability proposition nationally.

Mixed livability among Alaska peers

Kodiak scores 59.9, trailing Alaska's state average of 67.6, ranking seventh among the eight profiled counties. The borough shows respectable income and tax scores but struggles with housing affordability and health access in a remote island setting. It's a lower-tier Alaska option compared to Southeast coast peers.

Solid income and tax efficiency

Kodiak maintains reasonable median household income of $83,716 (income score 38.0) and a favorable tax burden at 0.917% effective rate (tax score 76.5). The borough also demonstrates moderate risk management at 34.9, suggesting reasonable preparedness for island-specific hazards. These factors provide financial stability for employed households.

High housing costs and limited healthcare

Kodiak's median home values of $382,700 and rent of $1,669 create severe housing affordability pressure despite moderate incomes, yielding a cost score of only 55.4. Health outcomes at 65.0 lag statewide and reflect limited medical facilities on the remote island. These gaps constrain quality of life, particularly for families and healthcare-dependent residents.

For hardy island workers with financial cushion

Kodiak suits employed professionals in fishing, military, and maritime industries able to afford steep housing costs and comfortable with limited healthcare options. The borough appeals to those seeking genuine Alaska isolation and self-reliance while maintaining decent incomes. It's a choice for the financially secure, not budget-conscious families.

Score breakdown

5 dimensions have live data. 3 more coming as vertical sites launch.

Tax76.5Cost55.4SafetyComing SoonHealth65SchoolsComing SoonIncome38Risk34.9WaterComing Soon
🏛76.5
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠55.4
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼38
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤65
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡34.9
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty →
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncomeincomebycounty.com
Compare Kodiak Island Borough with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Stanislaus County
California
59.9
Median income: $79,661
Anne Arundel County
Maryland
59.9
Median income: $120,324
Delaware County
Ohio
59.9
Median income: $130,088
Oklahoma County
Oklahoma
59.9
Median income: $65,374
Burnet County
Texas
59.9
Median income: $77,158

Deep Dives

Kodiak Island Borough across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 5 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Kodiak Island Borough

via TaxByCounty

Kodiak Island taxes moderately exceed national median

At 0.917%, Kodiak Island Borough's effective property tax rate runs about 4% above the national median of 0.88%, placing it near the 52nd percentile nationally. This rate positions Kodiak Island slightly above typical American burdens. Residents here pay a touch more than average, but well within the normal range.

Kodiak Island ranks fifth in Alaska's tax standings

Kodiak Island Borough's 0.917% effective rate sits above Alaska's state average of 0.772%, placing it among the state's higher-taxing boroughs behind Fairbanks (1.264%), Dillingham (1.755%), and Juneau (0.934%). The borough's elevated rate reflects robust community services and infrastructure investment. Kodiak ranks in the upper tier of Alaska's tax landscape.

Kodiak Island taxes higher than most Southeast peers

Kodiak Island's 0.917% rate exceeds Ketchikan (0.683%), Haines (0.802%), and dramatically surpasses Hoonah-Angoon (0.416%), though it trails Juneau (0.934%). The borough's island isolation and high home values drive elevated service costs and corresponding tax obligations. Kodiak stands among Southeast Alaska's higher-taxing communities.

The median Kodiak home costs $3,509 yearly

With a median home value of $382,700—among the highest in this group—and a 0.917% effective rate, a typical homeowner pays $3,509 annually in property taxes. Mortgage considerations push the annual bill to $4,070, though those without mortgages still owe $2,193. Kodiak's substantial tax obligations reflect both high home values and elevated local tax rates.

Higher-value Kodiak homes warrant assessment scrutiny

Kodiak Island's elevated home values and robust tax bills make assessment accuracy particularly important—even modest overvaluations yield significant annual overpayments. Carefully review your assessment notice and verify your valuation against recent comparable sales. An appeal could reduce your bill by hundreds annually.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Kodiak Island Borough

via CostByCounty

Kodiak Island: Alaska's most expensive housing burden

At 23.9%, Kodiak Island's rent-to-income ratio is the highest across all measured Alaska counties and significantly exceeds national norms, meaning residents dedicate nearly a quarter of income to rent. The $1,669 monthly rent is Alaska's priciest, while the $83,716 median income, though solid, struggles to absorb this exceptional housing cost.

Kodiak ranks as Alaska's least affordable

Kodiak Island's 23.9% rent-to-income ratio is the worst in Alaska, 5.3 percentage points above the state average of 18.6%. The $1,669 median monthly rent is the absolute highest statewide, creating genuine affordability pressure despite residents earning a respectable $83,716 annually.

Island pricing isolates Kodiak from peers

Kodiak Island's $1,669 rent vastly exceeds nearly every other Alaska community: Juneau is $207 cheaper ($1,462), Fairbanks is $245 cheaper ($1,424), and most others pale in comparison. Geographic isolation and island economy dynamics drive Kodiak's exceptional cost burden.

Renters spend 23.9%, owners $1,459/month

Kodiak renters spend nearly a quarter of their $83,716 income—$1,669 monthly—leaving limited room for other expenses and savings. Even homeowners pay a steep $1,459 monthly, making Kodiak Island the state's most challenging market for both renting and ownership.

Kodiak demands highest income tolerance statewide

Only consider relocating to Kodiak Island if you secure substantially above-market wages; the 23.9% rent burden is the worst in Alaska and drains household budgets. Compare this burden against Haines' 15.1% ratio or Dillingham's 17.5% to fully appreciate Kodiak's exceptional housing cost pressure.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Kodiak Island Borough

via IncomeByCounty

Kodiak earnings exceed U.S. average

Kodiak Island Borough's median household income of $83,716 surpasses the U.S. median by $8,961, placing it in the top third of American earning power. This $8,961 advantage reflects Alaska's strong fishing industry and the borough's position as a regional economic hub.

Fourth-highest earner in Alaska

Kodiak ranks fourth among Alaska's eight regions in median household income, earning 5.4% below the state average of $79,407 despite its $83,716 median. Its per capita income of $40,615 trails Alaska's $42,832 average, suggesting a wider income distribution than wealthier regions.

Competitive with major Alaska hubs

Kodiak's $83,716 income trails Juneau ($100,513), Fairbanks ($84,722), and Ketchikan ($89,155) but outpaces Kenai Peninsula ($77,722), Dillingham ($74,250), and smaller regions. Its fishing-centered economy supports respectable earnings compared to most Alaska communities.

Housing costs strain median income

Kodiak faces the steepest housing affordability challenge in Alaska with a rent-to-income ratio of 23.9%, approaching the 30% danger threshold. Median home values of $382,700 demand substantial household budgets, making careful financial planning essential for renters and homebuyers alike.

Optimize budget to unlock savings

With housing costs consuming nearly a quarter of income, maximizing your remaining earnings through disciplined budgeting and strategic saving becomes critical. Work with a financial planner to identify discretionary expenses that can be redirected toward retirement accounts, investments, and emergency reserves.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Kodiak Island Borough

via HealthByCounty

Kodiak matches national life expectancy

At 77.4 years, Kodiak's life expectancy is nearly identical to the U.S. average of 76.4 years, placing residents in typical American health territory. The 16.0% poor/fair health rate is better than the national average of 18%, showing solid reported health status.

Slightly above Alaska average

Kodiak's 77.4-year life expectancy tops Alaska's 75.6-year state average by 1.8 years, reflecting above-average longevity in the state. The 16.0% poor/fair health rate sits below state averages, indicating better health outcomes than many Alaska communities.

Middle-tier health outcomes

Kodiak's 77.4-year life expectancy falls slightly below Ketchikan (77.6) and Kenai (77.9), but exceeds Fairbanks (77.7) by modest margins. The 16.0% poor/fair health rate clusters with mid-tier Alaska communities, suggesting balanced health challenges and strengths.

Highest uninsured rate of measured counties

Kodiak's 17.8% uninsured rate is the highest in this Alaska sample, exceeding the state average of 15.9% by 1.9 percentage points. Primary care at 141 per 100K and mental health at 430 per 100K provide moderate regional access in this island community.

Address Kodiak's coverage gap

Nearly one in five Kodiak residents lack health insurance—the highest rate in this Alaska comparison—so explore coverage urgently. Visit healthcare.gov or contact local tribal health programs to find affordable plans and enrollment assistance.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Kodiak Island Borough

via RiskByCounty

Kodiak faces moderate U.S. disaster risk levels

With a composite risk score of 65.14, Kodiak Island Borough ranks as Relatively Low and moderately exceeds Alaska's state average of 35.22. This south-central island region experiences higher natural hazard exposure than most of the nation, but less than Alaska's highest-risk areas.

Mid-range risk profile within Alaska

Kodiak Island Borough ranks in Alaska's middle tier—safer than interior and peninsula powerhouses Fairbanks (88.52) and Kenai Peninsula (93.03), but riskier than Southeast Alaska communities. The 65.14 score reflects the island's geographic and seismic exposure.

Riskier than Southeast, safer than Kenai Peninsula

Kodiak (65.14) sits comfortably between Southeast Alaska's safe counties (1.69–14.31) and the high-risk interior and peninsula (88–93). The island's position and geology create moderate hazard exposure.

Earthquakes dominate; wildfires secondary concern

Earthquake risk peaks at 94.72, making seismic activity a dominant threat on Kodiak Island. Wildfire risk (23.22) poses a secondary concern, while flood (4.42) and tornado risks (0.48) remain minimal.

Earthquake insurance essential; wildfire awareness helpful

Earthquake coverage is non-negotiable given the 94.72 risk score—add it to your homeowners policy today. Keep your property cleared of vegetation and ensure roof and siding materials are fire-resistant to mitigate wildfire risk.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

ByCounty Network

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Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS — informational only.