Valdez 82 Exceptional
Valdez Livability #4 ranked city in Alaska#1,173 ranked city in the USARanks better than 95% of areas
Is This the Right Place for You? Local Insights Report
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Local Insights Report

Pros and Cons of Living in Valdez

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 Valdez?

Valdez, Alaska is a small city with a population of 3,966 inhabitants. With a population density of 19 people per square mile, Valdez is about average when compared to the nation's average density level. At 85%, the majority of the Valdez population is White; this is followed by 4% American Indian and Alaskan and 1% Black. If you are not a fan of long commutes, you will enjoy living in Valdez. With an average one way commute time of only 12 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 discouraging task. However, it could also be a good experience if you are willing to get to know the town before actually living in Valdez, 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 cost of living, education, employment and other key data points, finding the best places to live in Valdez and in the areas around Valdez is a much easier task.

The livability score in Valdez is 80/100 and the city is ranked in the 94th percentile of all cities across America. Clearly, Valdez is doing something right, as this score ranks well above the average of most cities. Valdez also ranks in the top 10 percent of all cities, which is no small feat! Based on the rankings for each individual category, Valdez has been rewarded with high marks for crime (A+), education (B), employment (A+) and housing (A+). There is at least one category that you should be aware of in Valdez. The following was graded with a less than perfect score: cost of living (D-).

Feeling a sense of safety in the area that you live in is a must for most people. Low crime rates can have a positive impact on things like home prices, home appreciation rates and can help foster positive community dynamics and social cohesion. Valdez has a violent crime rate of 130 crimes per 100,000 residents which is far lower than the national average.

Unemployment rates can vary significantly among cities, impacting job prospects, wage levels and the overall economic health of an area. In Valdez, the unemployment rate stands at 2.4%, suggesting increased job opportunities and a heightened demand for workers. This scenario can lead to higher wages, as the demand for employees outpaces job availability. Importantly, a low unemployment rate often signifies a robust and flourishing local economy.

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, Valdez 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 Valdez is real estate affordability. Median real estate prices in Valdez come in at $306,964, which is 33.6% lower than the Alaska average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In Valdez, the home price to income ratio is 2.2, which is 46.3% lower than the Alaska average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Valdez

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Compare Valdez, AK Livability

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      Valdez transportation information

      Statistic Valdez Alaska National
      Average one way commute12min19min26min
      Workers who drive to work75.8%68.1%76.4%
      Workers who carpool10.2%12.5%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit0.0%1.5%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.0%1.0%0.6%
      Workers who walk7.2%7.9%2.8%
      Working from home4.3%4.6%4.6%
      Source: The Valdez, 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.