Performance
Score Breakdown
Anchorage
Juneau
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Juneau is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
3% higher compared to Anchorage.
Housing costs are a major driver: Anchorage's average rent is
15% lower than Juneau's.
| Metric | Anchorage | Juneau | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,583 | $1,860 | -15% |
| Groceries | $623 | $400 | +56% |
| Utilities | $409 | $432 | -5% |
| Transport | $350 | $120 | +192% |
| Healthcare | $200 | $265 | -25% |
| Monthly Total | $3,165 | $3,077 | +3% |
| Cost Index | 125 | 133 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Juneau offers 5% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Anchorage delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Anchorage is estimated at
$125,309 vs $74,400 in Juneau.
| Metric | Anchorage | Juneau |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $61,814 | $65,000 |
| Salary Needed | $125,309 | $74,400 |
| Purchasing Power | 49,451 idx | 48,872 idx |
| Household Income | $103,284 | $101,661 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Anchorage | 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
Juneau has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
1,500 minutes (25 hours) per year compared to Anchorage.
Anchorage scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Anchorage leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Anchorage | Juneau |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 18 min | 15 min |
| Transit Score | 52.0/10 | 38.0/10 |
| Walkability | 31.0/10 | 21.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 31.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Anchorage is the larger city
— approximately 9.1x the population of Juneau.
From a growth perspective, Anchorage 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 | Anchorage | Juneau |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 286,278 | 31,454 |
| Pop. Growth | % | % |
| Median Age | 35.2 | 40.0 |
| Unemployment | 4.10% | 3.50% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Anchorage
Advantages
No state income tax allows residents to keep a larger portion of their earnings.
Exceptional access to stunning natural beauty and outdoor recreational activities.
Strong job market in key sectors like healthcare, oil & gas, and transportation.
Friendly community and welcoming atmosphere with a small-town feel.
Shorter average commute time compared to the national average.
Drawbacks
Overall cost of living is significantly higher than the national average.
Higher property crime rate compared to the national average.
Limited public transportation options lead to high car dependency.
Challenging winter weather conditions with short daylight hours.
Elevated healthcare costs compared to the national average.
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.
Anchorage
#14Alaska, USA
70.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,583
Avg Salary
$61,814
Cost Index
125
Commute
18 min
Transit Score
52.0/10
Walkability
31.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.10%
Livability
72
Business
68
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
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