Soldotna 77 Exceptional
Soldotna Livability #7 ranked city in Alaska#2,866 ranked city in the USARanks better than 90% of areas
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Pros and Cons of Living in Soldotna

PROS
  • Crime Crime

    This area boasts a crime rate that is far below the national average, making it a very safe place to live. These crime statistics encompass both property and violent offenses.

  • Employment Employment

    With higher than average median household income, income per capita and lower unemployment rates, this area scores extremely well in the employment category.

  • Housing Housing

    Impressive scores in the housing category characterize this area, potentially attributed to the availability of affordable housing, strong appreciation rates and high home values.

  • Health & Safety Health & Safety

    Accessible health facilities like hospitals, doctors offices, clinics and nursing homes as well as good air quality are all factors that have led to a high score in this category.

  • Ratings Ratings

    According to recent surveys and polls, locals had excellent ratings for walkability to nearby amenities, safety, access to public transit and the overall sense of community in the area.

CONS
  • Commute Commute

    Low commute scores could be due to limited access to public transit in this area, as well as longer-than-average work commute times for residents.

What's it like Living in Soldotna?

Soldotna is a small-sized city located in the state of Alaska. The city has a population of 4,806 residents. According to the most recent Census, 86% of Soldotna residents are White, 7% American Indian and Alaskan and 1% Asian. Soldotna is very likely to be a great place to live for singles as only 48%, of the population (over fifteen) are classified as married. Not a fan of sitting in traffic during your commute to work? Soldotna offers shorter work commutes, with an average one-way commute time taking only 12 minutes, far lower than the national average of 26 minutes.

Whether you’re moving to a new area to be closer to family, friends or for a new job, living in Soldotna could be a positive experience compared to other cities in Alaska if you know where to search. Don't forget to determine what matters most to you in a neighborhood. Consider factors such as safety, proximity to work or school, access to amenities (like parks, fitness facilities, grocery stores, restaurants), public transportation options, community atmosphere and the overall vibe you're looking for. Using the livability score which includes data from categories like amenities, cost of living, employment, housing, you can easily compare the best places to live in Soldotna and also determine if there are any nearby cities that might be a better match for your lifestyle. You can also compare Soldotna to Alaska and the national average.

Using data and statistics Soldotna has received a livability score of 73/100. This score is ranked in the 84th percentile when compared to all other cities. Based on the rankings for each individual category, Soldotna has been rewarded with high marks for education (B-), employment (B+) and housing (A-). Regrettably for Soldotna, there are some categories for which it does not score well, this includes: 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. Soldotna shines in this regard, earning exemplary ratings for its exceptionally low violent crime rates, standing at 86 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.

The unemployment rate in Soldotna has consistently declined over the years and currently stands well below the national average at 1.4%. This downward trend holds the potential to reduce poverty and inequality within the region, promote higher wage levels and stimulate greater economic growth. Such positive indicators signal the overall robust health of the local economy, offering a promising outlook for its residents and fostering an environment of financial well-being and prosperity.

Finding affordable real estate and housing in Soldotna can be tricky. Having said that, this area might be the place to get the best of both worlds. Based on factors like home/rental affordability and appreciation rates, this area has received an above average score in the housing category. A healthy real estate market can lead to wealth appreciation for property owners, as rising property values can contribute to homeowners' equity, financial stability and the ability to build long-term wealth.

There are many factors that go into deciding if an area is the right fit for your lifestyle. Certain “must haves” like low crime, great schools and nearby amenities are all at the top of most people's lists. But before even considering if those options are attainable, we'll need to know if the real estate in Soldotna is actually affordable. The median home price for Soldotna homes is $397,135, which is 14.1% lower than the Alaska average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Soldotna, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 4.5, which is 9.8% higher than the Alaska average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Soldotna

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How Do You Rate The Livability In Soldotna?

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Compare Soldotna, AK Livability

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      Soldotna transportation information

      Statistic Soldotna Alaska National
      Average one way commute12min19min26min
      Workers who drive to work79.6%68.1%76.4%
      Workers who carpool3.2%12.5%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit1.2%1.5%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.7%1.0%0.6%
      Workers who walk9.9%7.9%2.8%
      Working from home1.7%4.6%4.6%
      Source: The Soldotna, AK data and statistics displayed above are derived from the United States Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) and include 2026 modeled data developed using proprietary methodologies.