Performance
Score Breakdown
Bloomington
Juneau
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Bloomington is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
16% lower compared to Juneau.
Housing costs are a major driver: Bloomington's average rent is
41% lower than Juneau's.
| Metric | Bloomington | Juneau | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,100 | $1,860 | -41% |
| Groceries | $685 | $400 | +71% |
| Utilities | $391 | $432 | -9% |
| Transport | $300 | $120 | +150% |
| Healthcare | $120 | $265 | -55% |
| Monthly Total | $2,596 | $3,077 | -16% |
| Cost Index | 89 | 133 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Bloomington offers 17% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Bloomington delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Bloomington is estimated at
$44,700 vs $74,400 in Juneau.
| Metric | Bloomington | Juneau |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $76,000 | $65,000 |
| Salary Needed | $44,700 | $74,400 |
| Purchasing Power | 85,393 idx | 48,872 idx |
| Household Income | $77,384 | $101,661 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Bloomington | Juneau |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | % | 81.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other.
Bloomington scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Bloomington leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Bloomington | Juneau |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 17 min | 15 min |
| Transit Score | 50.0/10 | 38.0/10 |
| Walkability | 60.0/10 | 21.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 35.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Bloomington is the larger city
— approximately 2.5x the population of Juneau.
From a growth perspective, Bloomington is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Juneau has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Bloomington | Juneau |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 79,268 | 31,454 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.20% | % |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 40.0 |
| Unemployment | 3.90% | 3.50% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Bloomington
Advantages
The cost of living in Bloomington is 11% lower than the national average, making it an affordable place to reside.
Bloomington boasts a strong job market with a 2.83% job growth rate from 2023 to 2024, particularly in Finance & Insurance and Healthcare.
The average commute time is 17 minutes, significantly shorter than the national average, leading to less time spent in traffic.
The median household income of $77,384 in 2024 is competitive, supporting a comfortable lifestyle.
The city offers a balanced quality of life with access to good hospitals, schools, and recreational activities.
Drawbacks
Utilities costs in Bloomington are 5.7% higher than the national average, potentially impacting monthly budgets.
Healthcare costs are 6.2% higher than the national average, which could be a consideration for residents.
Public transportation options are available, but the city exhibits high car dependency, with 75% of residents using personal vehicles for commuting.
While generally safe, the city has an average crime rate, suggesting areas where vigilance may be necessary.
The median rent of $1,100 per month, while affordable compared to national averages, can still be a significant expense for some households.
Juneau
Advantages
Juneau boasts a median household income of $101,661 (2020-2024), significantly higher than the national average.
The city offers unparalleled access to outdoor activities, including hiking, fishing, and wildlife viewing, due to its location within the Tongass National Forest.
Juneau's unemployment rate was 3.5% in April 2026, indicating a healthy job market.
The tourism industry is a major economic driver, with record cruise passenger numbers in 2025.
Construction, healthcare, and transportation sectors are projected to see job growth in 2026.
Drawbacks
The overall cost of living in Juneau is approximately 32.6% higher than the national average.
Housing costs are particularly high, being about 41.8% more expensive than the national average.
Juneau's population is currently declining at an annual rate of -0.49%.
Utilities are significantly more expensive, approximately 41.1% above national levels.
Healthcare costs, especially for long-term care, are very high, with assisted living at around $10,198 per month.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Bloomington
#21Illinois, USA
72.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,100
Avg Salary
$76,000
Cost Index
89
Commute
17 min
Transit Score
50.0/10
Walkability
60.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.20%
Unemployment
3.90%
Livability
74
Business
70
Juneau
#13Alaska, USA
75.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,860
Avg Salary
$65,000
Cost Index
133
Commute
15 min
Transit Score
38.0/10
Walkability
21.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
3.50%
Livability
80
Business
70
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