What are the schools like in Valdez, AK?

Valdez is served primarily by Valdez City School District. The district operates 1 elementary schools, 1 middle schools, and 1 high schools with a student-to-teacher ratio of 13.3:1.

What is the median household income in Valdez?

The median household income in Valdez, AK is $89,255 according to the most recent US Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates. The unemployment rate is 6.5%.

What is the weather like in Valdez, AK?

Valdez has an average high temperature of 28.7°F in January and 64.1°F in July. Annual precipitation averages 78.3 inches and annual snowfall averages 325.3 inches.

Valdez, AK Cost of Living, Crime & Is It a Good Place to Live? (2026)

Q: Is Valdez, AK affordable or expensive?

Valdez's cost of living index is 102, where 100 represents the national average. This means Valdez is 2% more expensive than the average US city. The median home value is $251,100 and the median rent is $1,408 per month.

Q: What is the crime rate in Valdez, AK?

Valdez has a violent crime rate of 129.6 incidents per 100,000 residents and a property crime rate of 336.9 per 100,000. The national average violent crime rate is approximately 380 per 100,000.

Is Valdez, AK a Good Place to Live?

Valdez is a small town of 3,935 in Alaska, with a median household income of $89,255 and a 6.5% unemployment rate. Its cost of living index is 102 (US average = 100), which is 2% above the national average.

Strengths: Valdez stands out for lower-than-average crime, solid school ratings (A-), short average commutes.

Trade-offs: Potential downsides include an elevated unemployment rate. Whether Valdez is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.

All Valdez city data on this page comes from official government sources — the US Census Bureau, FBI, NCES, BEA, and NOAA — updated annually.

Cost of Living

Index: 102.3

Valdez's overall cost of living index is 102.3, where 100 represents the US national average. Living in Valdez costs roughly 2% more than the average American city.

Metric	Valdez, AK	National Avg
Median Home Value	$251,100	$244,900
Median Monthly Rent	$1,408	$1,163
Homeownership Rate	63.9%	65.9%
Median Household Income	$89,255	$74,755

Crime & Safety

Very Safe

Valdez's violent crime rate is 129.6 per 100,000 residents — 66% lower than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.

Violent Crime

129.6 /100k

Property Crime

336.9 /100k

Vertical marker = national average. Source: FBI UCR Program.

Schools & Education

Valdez is served primarily by Valdez City School District. The student-to-teacher ratio is 13.3:1 (better than the national average of ~16:1).

Metric	Valdez, AK	National Avg
School District	Valdez City School District	—
Elementary Schools	1	—
Middle Schools	1	—
High Schools	1	—
Student/Teacher Ratio	13.3:1	16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher	35.4%	35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher	96.1%	91.1%

Weather & Climate

Valdez sees average highs of 28.7°F in January and 64.1°F in July, with 78.3 inches of annual precipitation and 325.3 inches of snow per year.

Metric	Valdez, AK
Average High — January	28.7°F
Average High — July	64.1°F
Annual Precipitation	78.3"
Annual Snowfall	325.3"

Demographics

Metric	Valdez, AK	National Avg
Population	3,935	—
Median Age	38.8	38.9
Unemployment Rate	6.5%	3.7%
Avg Commute Time	10.9 min	26 min
White (non-Hispanic)	77.3%	59.3%
Black or African American	2.6%	13.6%
Hispanic or Latino	9.8%	18.9%
Asian	0.0%	6.3%
Under 18	22.4%	22.2%
65 and over	11.3%	16.8%

Nearby Cities

Tatitlek, AK 18 mi Cordova, AK 44 mi Tonsina, AK 51 mi Kenny Lake, AK 62 mi Willow Creek, AK 63 mi

ZIP Codes in Valdez

Valdez, AK is covered by 1 ZIP code:

99686

Valdez vs Other Cities

Valdez, AK vs Tatitlek, AK Valdez, AK vs Cordova, AK Valdez, AK vs Tonsina, AK Valdez, AK vs Kenny Lake, AK Valdez, AK vs Willow Creek, AK

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Valdez, AK affordable or expensive?

Valdez's cost of living index is 102, where 100 is the national average. That puts Valdez roughly 2% above the national average in cost. The median home price is $251,100 and median rent is $1,408/month.

What is the crime rate in Valdez, AK?

Valdez's violent crime rate is 129.6 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 336.9 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.

What are the schools like in Valdez?

Public schools in Valdez are operated by Valdez City School District. The district has 1 elementary, 1 middle, and 1 high schools. The student-to-teacher ratio is 13.3:1. 35.4% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Is Valdez, AK a good place to live?

Valdez, AK has a population of 3,935, a median household income of $89,255, and an unemployment rate of 6.5%. Whether it's right for you depends on your priorities — use the compare tool above to stack it against another city you're considering.

What is the weather like in Valdez?

Valdez averages 28.7°F in January and 64.1°F in July. Annual rainfall is 78.3 inches with about 325.3 inches of snow per year. Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).

What ZIP codes are in Valdez?

Valdez, AK is covered by 1 ZIP code: 99686.

What is the population of Valdez?

The population of Valdez, Alaska is 3,935 with a median age of 38.8. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.

What are the pros and cons of living in Valdez?

Key numbers for living in Valdez: cost of living index 102 (100 = US average), median home $251,100, median household income $89,255, crime index 27 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated A-. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Valdez side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.