countyscore
57.7
County Score
Income & Jobs 95Property Tax 88Disaster Risk 76.2

County Report Card

About Sitka City and Borough, Alaska

Sitka scores above the national middle

With a composite score of 57.3, Sitka ranks in the 65th percentile nationally—well above the national median of 50.0. This places it among the more livable counties in the United States, reflecting strong fundamentals across multiple dimensions.

Third best in Alaska

Sitka's 57.3 score puts it solidly above Alaska's state average of 51.1, ranking it in the top tier of Alaskan counties. This strong state-level standing reflects the borough's relatively balanced quality of life across income, health, and education.

High earners in a low-tax haven

Sitka's median household income of $101,207 is exceptional, paired with an income score of 95.7 and a remarkable tax score of 88.6—reflecting an effective tax rate of just 0.472%. These financial strengths are rare even among Alaska's counties, making the borough attractive to professionals seeking both earning power and tax efficiency.

Housing costs and water access lag

Despite strong income, Sitka struggles with affordability: its cost score of 8.7 reflects a median home value of $442,100 and median rent of $1,350/month. Water quality scores (33.3) also represent room for improvement in infrastructure resilience.

Ideal for affluent remote professionals

Sitka suits high-income earners and remote workers who can command strong salaries and value tax efficiency over housing affordability. This is a borough for those seeking Alaska's natural appeal paired with solid schools and low tax burden, rather than budget-conscious relocators.

204060801008810.662.273.69576.233.354.8Tax88Cost10.6SafetyHealth62.2Schools73.6Income95Risk76.2Water33.3Weather54.857.7/100
This county
National avg
5 above average2 below average

Sitka City and Borough DNA

Foverall

How Sitka City and Borough compares to the national average across nine baseline dimensions

Sitka City and Borough scores above average across most dimensions. It's a well-balanced county with particular strength in Income (95/100).

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
88+36
Cost
10.6-37.4
Health
62.2+12.200000000000003
Schools
73.6+19.599999999999994
Income
95+44
Risk
76.2+29.200000000000003
Water
33.3-24.700000000000003
Weather
54.8
Sponsored

Compare mortgage rates in Sitka City and Borough

Whether buying or refinancing in Sitka City and Borough, compare rates from top lenders to find the best deal.

See Today's Rates

Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$450,300

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$1,341/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$450,300/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$53,640/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum4.4x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $101,727/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

35.7

per 100K

Data from Federal Reserve (FRED), U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, and CMS NPPES.

Deep Dives

Sitka City and Borough across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 7 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Sitka City and Borough

via TaxByCounty

Sitka taxes rank low nationally

Sitka's effective tax rate of 0.472% sits well below the national median of 1.1%, placing this Southeast Alaska borough in the bottom 20% of U.S. counties for property tax burden. The median home here costs $442,100, yet residents pay just $2,086 annually—significantly less than the national median tax bill of $2,690 despite owning pricier homes.

Sitka undercuts Alaska's tax average

Among Alaska's property tax jurisdictions, Sitka ranks in the lower half with a 0.472% effective rate compared to the state average of 0.772%. The median tax bill of $2,086 nearly matches Alaska's statewide median of $2,187, even though Sitka's homes command premium prices.

Southeast Alaska's most tax-friendly borough

Sitka edges out Skagway (0.342%) and Wrangell (0.620%) as a Southeast tax destination, though all three coastal communities offer rates well below the state average. Compared to interior regions like Yukon-Koyukuk (0.862%), Sitka represents a moderate tax environment for a region that historically relies on timber, fishing, and tourism.

What $442,100 home costs annually

A median-priced Sitka home of $442,100 generates roughly $2,086 in annual property taxes at the current 0.472% rate. With mortgage-related fees included, the total annual burden reaches $2,200, leaving Sitka homeowners with lower bills than comparable communities nationwide.

Challenge your assessment if overvalued

Many Alaska homeowners find their properties appraised above market value, creating opportunities to appeal and reduce annual tax bills. If you believe your $442,100 assessment is high, requesting a reassessment review could yield meaningful savings on your $2,086 annual bill.

Income & Jobs in Sitka City and Borough

via IncomeByCounty

Sitka outearns most American households

Sitka's median household income of $101,207 runs 35% ahead of the national median of $74,755, placing it well above average American earning power. This Southeast Alaska borough ranks among the nation's stronger income communities, driven by fishing, tourism, and government employment.

Highest earner among Alaska counties

Sitka leads all Alaska counties with a median household income of $101,207, far exceeding the state average of $79,407. Per capita income here reaches $45,532, also well above the state average of $42,832.

Sitka dominates Southeast Alaska earnings

At $101,207, Sitka's median income towers over nearby Skagway ($78,594) and Wrangell ($64,545), reflecting its larger economic base and employment diversity. Its per capita income of $45,532 is notably higher than neighbors' figures, suggesting stronger individual earning power across the region.

Strong income shields housing costs

With a rent-to-income ratio of just 16%, Sitka residents spend a healthy portion of earnings on housing—well below the national concern threshold of 30%. The median home value of $442,100 remains achievable for households at this income level, supporting long-term wealth building through homeownership.

Invest gains beyond the paycheck

Sitka's above-average income creates real opportunity to build wealth beyond housing. Consider redirecting savings into diversified investments, retirement accounts, and emergency funds to compound your economic advantage over time.

Weather & Climate in Sitka City and Borough

via WeatherByCounty

Extreme precipitation defines this coastal hub

Sitka averages 43.9°F annually, which is mild for Alaska but cool compared to the national average. The standout data is the 152.8 inches of annual precipitation, which is roughly five times the national average. This creates a unique temperate rainforest environment with no extreme heat.

A maritime warm spot with record rain

Sitka is much warmer than the state average of 35.9°F and is among the wettest places in Alaska. Its 152.8 inches of precipitation dwarfs the state average of 54.8 inches. This oceanic climate ensures that temperatures rarely drop to the extremes seen in the interior.

The wettest of its coastal neighbors

Sitka receives 152.8 inches of rain, far exceeding Petersburg (110.2") and Prince of Wales-Hyder (104.9"). It also sees more snow than its southern neighbors, averaging 101.8 inches per year. It shares a similar 43-44°F temperature range with other Southeast Alaska counties.

Wet winters and cool, misty summers

Winters are mild at 34.7°F but very snowy, with an annual total of 101.8 inches. July is cool and often cloudy, averaging 55.8°F with no extreme heat days over 90°F. The year is characterized by consistent moisture rather than temperature swings.

Plan for water in every form

Commercial-grade rain gear is a necessity for the nearly 153 inches of annual precipitation. Homeowners must prioritize drainage and roof maintenance to handle the heavy combination of rain and 101.8 inches of snow. Cooling is not a concern, as summer temperatures remain very mild.

Lawn Care in Sitka City and Borough

via LawnByCounty

Moderate Lawn Care in a Maritime Climate

Sitka’s lawn difficulty score of 53.8 sits slightly above the national average of 50.0, indicating manageable conditions. While its score trails the state average of 57.8, the maritime climate provides a consistent environment for growth despite a missing USDA hardiness classification.

Managing Extreme Rainfall in Sitka

With a staggering 152.8 inches of annual precipitation, Sitka receives triple the ideal upper limit of 50 inches for lawns. This saturation pairs with a low 564 growing degree days, meaning mowing schedules must prioritize drainage and moss control over irrigation.

Navigating High-Moisture Soil Conditions

Local soil data for pH and texture is currently limited for this borough. However, the region's extreme rainfall typically leads to acidic, leached conditions that require soil testing for drainage capacity to ensure roots do not rot in the damp environment.

Abundant Water Supply Minimizes Drought Risk

Sitka spent zero weeks in drought this past year and maintains 0% coverage of abnormally dry conditions. Because moisture is constant and exceeds the state average of 53.5 inches, water conservation efforts are rarely needed for lawn survival here.

Maximize the Frost-Free Season

Hardier cool-season grasses like Kentucky Bluegrass or Fine Fescue perform best between the last frost on April 21 and the first frost on October 31. Aim to seed in late spring once the soil warms enough to support the limited 564 growing degree days available.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Sitka City and Borough's county score?
Sitka City and Borough, Alaska has a composite county score of 57.7 out of 100 on CountyScore. This score is calculated from a weighted average of available data dimensions including property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools.
How does Sitka City and Borough rank among counties in Alaska?
Sitka City and Borough ranks #9 among all counties in Alaska on CountyScore's composite ranking. Rankings are based on available data dimensions and updated as new data is added.
What are property taxes like in Sitka City and Borough, Alaska?
The median annual property tax in Sitka City and Borough is $2,080, with an effective tax rate of 0.46%. This earns Sitka City and Borough a tax score of 88/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Sitka City and Borough?
The median household income in Sitka City and Borough, Alaska is $101,727 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Sitka City and Borough earns an income score of 95/100 on CountyScore.
Is Sitka City and Borough, Alaska a good place to live?
Sitka City and Borough scores 57.7/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #9 in Alaska. The best way to evaluate Sitka City and Borough is to compare individual dimension scores — property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools — based on your personal priorities. Use CountyScore to compare Sitka City and Borough with other counties side by side.
By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

ByCounty Network

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