CountyScore

Sitka City and Borough

Alaska · AK

#12 in Alaska
70
County Score

County Report Card

About Sitka City and Borough, Alaska

Sitka outpaces national livability median

Sitka's composite score of 70.0 is 40% above the national median of 50.0, placing it in the upper tier of U.S. counties for overall livability. This strong showing reflects a balanced mix of low taxes, reasonable housing costs, and above-average health outcomes across the region.

Alaska's livability leader by a margin

Sitka ranks as the strongest performer among Alaska counties in this analysis, with a score of 70.0 compared to the state average of 67.6. The borough edges out its nearest competitors by delivering consistently solid scores across most measured dimensions.

Low taxes and risk resilience drive appeal

Sitka excels with an exceptional tax score of 89.0 and an effective tax rate of just 0.472%—among Alaska's lowest. The borough also boasts a risk score of 76.2 and median household income of $101,207, the highest in this county group, making it attractive for both budget-conscious and higher-earning residents.

Housing affordability and income data gaps

While Sitka's cost score of 59.5 is workable, median home values of $442,100 and gross rent of $1,350/month reflect Alaska's housing pressures. School and safety data are not yet available, leaving some dimensions of local livability unmeasured.

Best for tax-conscious, higher-income households

Sitka suits established professionals and families seeking a strong overall livability package without extreme tax burden. The combination of manageable taxes, decent health outcomes, and above-average incomes makes it Alaska's most well-rounded county choice for those who can afford the housing market.

Score breakdown

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

Tax89Cost59.5SafetyComing SoonHealth70SchoolsComing SoonIncome49.4Risk76.2WaterComing Soon
🏛89
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠59.5
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼49.4
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤70
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡76.2
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 Sitka City and Borough with another county →

Counties with similar scores

St. Clair County
Alabama
70
Median income: $78,993
Sumter County
Alabama
70
Median income: $37,981
Lee County
Arkansas
70
Median income: $36,860
Pike County
Georgia
70
Median income: $84,184
Nez Perce County
Idaho
70
Median income: $71,466

Deep Dives

Sitka City and Borough across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 5 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.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Sitka City and Borough

via CostByCounty

Sitka's housing costs beat national norms

Renters in Sitka spend just 16.0% of income on housing—well below the national danger zone of 30% and lower than Alaska's 18.6% state average. With a median household income of $101,207, residents here earn 35% more than the typical American household, making housing far more manageable despite the state's remote location.

Most affordable rents in Southeast Alaska

Sitka ranks among Alaska's most housing-affordable communities, with residents dedicating a smaller share of income to rent than nearly all state peers. The combination of strong median incomes and moderate rents positions Sitka as a housing haven compared to other Alaskan communities.

Southeast's affordability leader

Sitka's $1,350 monthly rent sits between Skagway ($1,228) and Yakutat ($1,276), but Sitka's significantly higher income ($101,207 vs. Skagway's $78,594) makes housing much easier to afford here. Owner costs of $1,587 monthly are higher than neighbors, but remain manageable for Sitka's well-compensated workforce.

Where Sitka's income goes

A typical renter pays $1,350 monthly while earning $101,207 annually, leaving plenty of room for other expenses. Homeowners commit roughly $1,587 per month, or about 18.8% of household income—still comfortably below the stress threshold, thanks to a median home value of $442,100.

Consider Sitka for remote work relocation

If you're relocating to Alaska and prioritize housing affordability without sacrificing income potential, Sitka deserves serious consideration. The combination of the state's lowest rent-to-income ratio and strong median earnings makes it one of Alaska's most livable communities for renters and homebuyers alike.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

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.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Sitka City and Borough

via HealthByCounty

Sitka's life expectancy leads the nation

Residents of Sitka live to 79.0 years on average, outpacing the U.S. average of 76.1 years and setting a strong baseline for health in Alaska. Just 14.9% of the population reports poor or fair health—a rate below the national average of 17.8%. These figures suggest Sitka's communities benefit from access to preventive care and healthy living conditions.

Sitka ranks among Alaska's healthiest

At 79.0 years, Sitka's life expectancy significantly exceeds Alaska's state average of 75.6 years, placing it near the top of the state's health rankings. The uninsured rate matches the state average at 14.9%, indicating parity with most Alaskan communities in coverage. This consistency in both longevity and insurance access reflects Sitka's stable healthcare infrastructure.

Sitka outperforms nearby Southeast Alaska peers

Sitka's 79.0-year life expectancy surpasses Wrangell (77.5 years) and Southeast Fairbanks (75.4 years), making it a regional health leader. With 214 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, Sitka has notably more local physician capacity than Southeast Fairbanks (57 per 100K). The borough's mental health provider density of 2,994 per 100K is among the state's highest, ensuring robust behavioral health support.

Strong provider access meets low uninsured rates

Sitka's 14.9% uninsured rate matches the state average, but the borough compensates with excellent provider availability—214 primary care providers and 2,994 mental health providers per 100,000 residents. This combination means residents who do have coverage can access care relatively easily, and those without insurance face fewer barriers to finding providers willing to work with uninsured patients. Daily healthcare reality: most residents can see a primary care doctor within days, not weeks.

Explore coverage options to stay protected

Even in Sitka's well-resourced environment, 14.9% of residents lack health insurance coverage. Check your eligibility for Alaska's Medicaid program, employer benefits, or subsidized marketplace plans through Healthcare.gov. A few minutes spent reviewing your options now can protect you from unexpected medical bills and help you access preventive care that keeps life expectancy climbing.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Sitka City and Borough

via RiskByCounty

Sitka's natural disaster risk: well below average

With a composite risk score of 23.82 and a Very Low rating, Sitka faces significantly less natural disaster risk than the typical U.S. county. The national average composite risk score stands around 35.22, meaning Sitka residents experience roughly one-third less overall hazard exposure than many American communities.

Safer than most Alaska counties

Sitka ranks among Alaska's lower-risk communities, with its 23.82 score well below the state average of 35.22. Only a handful of Alaska's 29 counties maintain comparably low composite risk profiles.

Sitka compares favorably to Southeast Alaska peers

Sitka's risk profile is notably lower than neighboring Southeast Fairbanks (57.03) and Yukon-Koyukuk (61.55), though similar to coastal Skagway (0.48) and Wrangell (0.06). This reflects Sitka's maritime location and smaller exposure to the wildfire and flood risks that dominate interior Alaska.

Earthquakes and floods pose primary threats

Earthquake risk dominates Sitka's hazard profile at 83.87, reflecting the region's position on the Pacific Ring of Fire—a reality all Southeast Alaska residents should understand. Flood risk ranks second at 34.00, driven by heavy precipitation and coastal proximity, though tornado and wildfire threats remain minimal (0.10 and 8.75 respectively).

Prioritize earthquake and flood coverage now

Standard homeowners policies exclude earthquake damage, making separate earthquake insurance essential for Sitka properties. Flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program should also be a priority given the county's 34.00 flood risk score and coastal location.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

ByCounty Network

🏛Property Tax🏠Cost of Living💼Income & Jobs🛡Safety❤Health🎓Schools⚡Disaster Risk💧Water Quality

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