Performance
Score Breakdown
Juneau
Aberdeen
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Aberdeen is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
33% higher compared to Juneau.
Housing costs are a major driver: Juneau's average rent is
49% higher than Aberdeen's.
| Metric | Juneau | Aberdeen | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,860 | $1,250 | +49% |
| Groceries | $400 | $388 | +3% |
| Utilities | $432 | $288 | +50% |
| Transport | $120 | $80 | +50% |
| Healthcare | $265 | $305 | -13% |
| Monthly Total | $3,077 | $2,311 | +33% |
| Cost Index | 133 | 82 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Juneau offers 67% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Juneau delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Juneau is estimated at
$74,400 vs $50,000 in Aberdeen.
| Metric | Juneau | Aberdeen |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $65,000 | $38,861 |
| Salary Needed | $74,400 | $50,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 48,872 idx | 47,391 idx |
| Household Income | $101,661 | $64,405 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Juneau | Aberdeen |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 81.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Aberdeen has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,000 minutes (33 hours) per year compared to Juneau.
Juneau scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Aberdeen leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Juneau | Aberdeen |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 15 min | 11 min |
| Transit Score | 38.0/10 | 20.0/10 |
| Walkability | 21.0/10 | 39.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | ||
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Juneau is the larger city
— approximately 1.1x the population of Aberdeen.
From a growth perspective, Aberdeen is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Aberdeen has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Juneau | Aberdeen |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 31,454 | 28,376 |
| Pop. Growth | % | 0.97% |
| Median Age | 40.0 | 36.4 |
| Unemployment | 3.50% | 1.70% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
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.
Aberdeen
Advantages
Aberdeen boasts a significantly low unemployment rate of 1.7% in 2026, well below the national average, indicating a robust job market.
The cost of living in Aberdeen is 18% less expensive than the national average, particularly in housing, making it highly affordable.
Residents enjoy a remarkably short average commute time of 11 minutes, significantly reducing daily travel stress.
Aberdeen serves as a regional healthcare hub with three hospitals and a wide range of medical specialties, ensuring quality healthcare access.
The city has a high livability score of 80 out of 100, reflecting a good quality of life with ample amenities and a strong community feel.
Drawbacks
Crime data for Aberdeen is conflicting, with some sources indicating a higher violent crime rate than the average U.S. city and a lower safety percentile.
Public transportation options are limited to a demand-response bus service, with very low utilization among workers, leading to high car dependency.
Aberdeen experiences very cold, snowy, and windy winters with average low temperatures reaching 6°F in January.
Despite some positive projections, population growth rates are inconsistent across sources, with some indicating stagnation or decline in recent years.
The average rent in Aberdeen has seen a significant increase of 52.9% in the past year, potentially impacting affordability for new renters.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Juneau
#5Alaska, 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
Aberdeen
#16South Dakota, USA
68.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,250
Avg Salary
$38,861
Cost Index
82
Commute
11 min
Transit Score
20.0/10
Walkability
39.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.97%
Unemployment
1.70%
Livability
80
Business
65
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