Ketchikan 76 Exceptional
Ketchikan Livability #7 ranked city in Alaska#2,903 ranked city in the USARanks better than 90% of areas

Pros and Cons of Living in Ketchikan

PROS
  • Commute

    High scores in the commute category could indicate that this area offers short commute times to work and readily available public transportation options.

  • Crime

    This area is characterized by a crime rate, per 100,000 individuals, that falls well below the national average, indicating its potential as a very safe place to live.

  • Housing

    The housing category in this area boasts higher than average scores, likely influenced by a positive home affordability ratio, robust appreciation rates or elevated home values.

  • Health & Safety

    Earning a high health and safety score depends on factors such as good air quality and the availability of essential health facilities like hospitals, clinics, doctors, and fire stations.

CONS
  • Amenities

    It appears that many amenities may not be conveniently situated within walking distance, potentially necessitating the use of a vehicle or public transit.

  • Cost Of Living

    Residents of this area contend with a high cost of living, resulting in increased expenditures for everyday goods and services, housing, utilities and health care.

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What's it like Living in Ketchikan?

Ketchikan, Alaska is a small city with a population of 8,230 inhabitants. If you are not a fan of long commutes, you will enjoy living in Ketchikan. With an average one way commute time of only 11 minutes, getting to and from work is a breeze compared to the national average of 26 minutes.

If you’re considering moving to any new city, it could be a very intimidating task. However, it could also be a good experience if you are willing to get to know the town before actually living in Ketchikan, Alaska. When searching for a new neighborhood, several key items should be considered. Safety is of utmost importance, ensuring a secure environment with low crime. Proximity to your workplace or school helps reduce commuting time and offers convenience. Access to amenities such as parks, grocery stores, and healthcare facilities enhances your daily life. Public transportation options contribute to easy mobility. A sense of community fosters a supportive and engaging environment. Lastly, the overall atmosphere should align with your desired lifestyle, ensuring a fulfilling living experience. Considering these items will guide you towards finding the perfect neighborhood that fits all your needs. With useful information like crime, cost of living, education and other key data points, finding the best places to live in Ketchikan and in the areas around Ketchikan is a much easier task.

With a livability score of 76 out of 100, Ketchikan is ranked #2,642 in the United States and #7 in Alaska. Based on this score, Ketchikan would be considered a very livable city! Ketchikan also ranks in the top 10 percent of all cities, which is no small feat! If we dig down a little deeper into each category within the livability score, we see that Ketchikan has higher than average grades for the following: crime (B-), education (A), employment (B) and housing (B+). The bad news for Ketchikan, there are some categories for which it does not score well, this includes: amenities (F) and cost of living (F).

Crime rates play a pivotal role in the decision-making process for anyone considering a move, as they directly influence the overall sense of safety, security and quality of life in a given location. Ketchikan shines in this regard, earning exemplary ratings for its exceptionally low violent crime rates, standing at 163 crimes per 100,000 residents. These rates are notably below the national average, underscoring the community's commitment to safety and contributing to an enhanced quality of life.

A healthy real estate market serves as a key economic indicator. It could signify overall local economic strength, stability and reflects consumer confidence in the area. Based on multiple factors including: median home and rental prices, appreciation rates and home affordability, Ketchikan has received high marks in the housing category. Based on these calculations, the apartment rental and real estate market appears to be very healthy.

Certain items on your wish list like shopping, restaurants, nightlife, parks and proximity to public transportation are all important things to look for. Having said that, perhaps the most important metric to consider when contemplating a move to Ketchikan is real estate affordability. The median home price for Ketchikan homes is $257,600, which is 0.2% higher than the Alaska average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Ketchikan, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 3.9, which is 11.4% higher than the Alaska average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Ketchikan

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How Do You Rate The Livability In Ketchikan?

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Compare Ketchikan, AK Livability

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      Ketchikan transportation information

      Statistic Ketchikan Alaska National
      Average one way commute11min19min26min
      Workers who drive to work63.1%68.1%76.4%
      Workers who carpool17.8%12.5%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit4.3%1.5%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.1%1.0%0.6%
      Workers who walk10.4%7.9%2.8%
      Working from home2.1%4.6%4.6%
      Source: The Ketchikan, AK data and statistics displayed above are derived from the United States Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).