Performance
Score Breakdown
Juneau
Sitka
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Sitka is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
16% higher compared to Juneau.
Housing costs are a major driver: Juneau's average rent is
24% higher than Sitka's.
| Metric | Juneau | Sitka | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,860 | $1,498 | +24% |
| Groceries | $400 | $500 | -20% |
| Utilities | $432 | $200 | +116% |
| Transport | $120 | $150 | -20% |
| Healthcare | $265 | $300 | -12% |
| Monthly Total | $3,077 | $2,648 | +16% |
| Cost Index | 133 | 130 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Sitka offers 32% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Sitka delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Juneau is estimated at
$74,400 vs $75,000 in Sitka.
| Metric | Juneau | Sitka |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $65,000 | $95,900 |
| Salary Needed | $74,400 | $75,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 48,872 idx | 73,769 idx |
| Household Income | $101,661 | $101,727 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Juneau | Sitka |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 81.00% | 85.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other.
Sitka scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Sitka leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Juneau | Sitka |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 15 min | 13 min |
| Transit Score | 38.0/10 | 65.0/10 |
| Walkability | 21.0/10 | 73.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 20.00 | |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Juneau is the larger city
— approximately 3.8x the population of Sitka.
From a growth perspective, Juneau is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Sitka has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Juneau | Sitka |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 31,454 | 8,307 |
| Pop. Growth | % | % |
| Median Age | 40.0 | 39.7 |
| Unemployment | 3.50% | 3.30% |
| 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.
Sitka
Advantages
Sitka boasts crime rates that are 66% lower than the Alaska average and a violent crime rate far below the national average, making it a very safe place to live.
The city offers unparalleled access to nature, including over 50 miles of trails, world-class fishing, and opportunities for boating and camping within the Tongass National Forest.
Residents benefit from a very walkable community, with a Walk Score of 73 out of 100, allowing most errands to be accomplished on foot.
Alaska has no state sales tax, inheritance tax, or personal property tax, which can be a financial advantage for residents.
The median household income in Sitka was $101,727 in 2024, significantly exceeding the national average.
Drawbacks
The cost of living in Sitka is high, particularly for groceries and medical care, due to its remote island location and reliance on shipped goods.
Sitka experiences a housing shortage, especially during peak months, and a lack of affordable housing is a key workforce challenge.
The city's remote location means long travel times and challenges with shipping items, as it is only accessible by boat or plane and has no road connections to other towns.
Sitka has an oceanic climate characterized by abundant precipitation and long, overcast winters, with rain being common year-round.
A lack of affordable childcare is a significant challenge for working families in Sitka.
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
Sitka
#8Alaska, USA
74.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,498
Avg Salary
$95,900
Cost Index
130
Commute
13 min
Transit Score
65.0/10
Walkability
73.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
3.30%
Livability
86
Business
75
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