Juneau
Alaska, USA
#10 in USA
83
Overall Score
VS
Northport
Alabama, USA
#21 in USA
72
Overall Score
Juneau scores higher overall

Score Breakdown

Juneau
Northport
Livability
85
76
Affordability
64
85
Business
80
65
Growth
77
68

Cost of Living

Northport is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately 32% higher compared to Juneau. Housing costs are a major driver: Juneau's average rent is 21% higher than Northport's.
MetricJuneauNorthportDiff
Average Rent
$1,820$1,500+21%
Groceries
$690$423+63%
Utilities
$325$158+106%
Transport
$230$385-40%
Healthcare
$535$263+103%
Monthly Total
$3,600$2,729+32%
Cost Index
12798out of 100

Salary & Income

Juneau offers 97% 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 $81,000 vs $40,836 in Northport.
MetricJuneauNorthport
Average Salary
$86,000$43,761
Salary Needed
$81,000$40,836
Purchasing Power
67,717 idx44,654 idx
Household Income
$88,100$80,913

Climate Comparison

Juneau runs warmer on average — a 42.1°F difference year-round. For sunshine, Juneau comes out ahead with 90 more sunny days per year, which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle. Winter severity differs too — Juneau sees 87 more inches of snowfall annually.
MetricJuneauNorthport
Avg Temp
42.10°F°F
Summer High
64.00°F°F
Winter Low
22.00°F°F
Rainfall
62.00 in in
Snowfall
87.00 in in
Sunny Days
90
Humidity
80.00%72.00%

Commute & Transport

Juneau has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly 2,000 minutes (33 hours) per year compared to Northport. Juneau scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living. For walkability, Juneau leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
MetricJuneauNorthport
Commute Time
18 min22 min
Transit Score
44.1/1010.0/10
Walkability
58.0/1027.0/10
Traffic Index
33.40
Car Dependency
MediumHigh

Economy & Demographics

Northport is the larger city — approximately 0.9x the population of Juneau. From a growth perspective, Northport is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services. On the employment side, Northport has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
MetricJuneauNorthport
Population
32,00033,797
Pop. Growth
0.40%4.10%
Median Age
38.136.8
Unemployment
4.70%2.30%
GDP
$7.6B$0.0B

Pros & Cons

Juneau
Advantages
Scenic and unique lifestyle
Drawbacks
Remote and expensive
Northport
Advantages
The cost of living in Northport is 2% lower than the U.S. national average, with housing costs being 23.8% lower.
Northport is known for being a safe place to live, contributing to peace of mind for residents.
The city boasts a livability score of 76 out of 100, ranking well for amenities, cost of living, and housing.
The median household income in Northport was $80,913 in 2024, reflecting a 4.03% one-year growth.
The average home value increased by 2.3% over the past year to $268,786 as of April 2026.
Drawbacks
Public transportation options within Northport are very limited, making the city largely car-dependent.
The average Walk Score for Northport is 27, indicating that most errands require a car.
While the overall cost of living is lower, food expenses are slightly above the national average.
Job growth rate data for Northport specifically is not readily available, with some data indicating a slight decline in employed population in 2024.
Summers in Northport are long, hot, and muggy, which can be uncomfortable for some residents.

Dive Deeper

Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.

Juneau
#10
Alaska, USA
82.5 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,820
Avg Salary
$86,000
Cost Index
127
Commute
18 min
Transit Score
44.1/10
Walkability
58.0/10
Sunny Days
90/yr
Avg Temp
42.10°F
Pop. Growth
0.40%
Unemployment
4.70%
Livability
85
Business
80
View Full Profile
Northport
#21
Alabama, USA
72.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,500
Avg Salary
$43,761
Cost Index
98
Commute
22 min
Transit Score
10.0/10
Walkability
27.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
4.10%
Unemployment
2.30%
Livability
76
Business
65
View Full Profile

Calculate Your Cost Impact

Estimate the salary you'd need when moving between Juneau and Northport.

Open Cost Calculator