Performance
Score Breakdown
Juneau
Tuscaloosa
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Tuscaloosa is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
29% higher compared to Juneau.
Housing costs are a major driver: Juneau's average rent is
28% higher than Tuscaloosa's.
| Metric | Juneau | Tuscaloosa | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,860 | $1,450 | +28% |
| Groceries | $400 | $450 | -11% |
| Utilities | $432 | $250 | +73% |
| Transport | $120 | $120 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $265 | $121 | +119% |
| Monthly Total | $3,077 | $2,391 | +29% |
| Cost Index | 133 | 87 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Juneau offers 20% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Tuscaloosa delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Juneau is estimated at
$74,400 vs $39,720 in Tuscaloosa.
| Metric | Juneau | Tuscaloosa |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $65,000 | $54,163 |
| Salary Needed | $74,400 | $39,720 |
| Purchasing Power | 48,872 idx | 62,256 idx |
| Household Income | $101,661 | $51,464 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Juneau | Tuscaloosa |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 81.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Juneau has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,500 minutes (42 hours) per year compared to Tuscaloosa.
Juneau scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Tuscaloosa leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Juneau | Tuscaloosa |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 15 min | 20 min |
| Transit Score | 38.0/10 | 20.0/10 |
| Walkability | 21.0/10 | 33.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | ||
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Tuscaloosa is the larger city
— approximately 0.3x the population of Juneau.
From a growth perspective, Tuscaloosa 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 | Juneau | Tuscaloosa |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 31,454 | 116,477 |
| Pop. Growth | % | 1.89% |
| Median Age | 40.0 | 27.2 |
| Unemployment | 3.50% | 4.20% |
| GDP | $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.
Tuscaloosa
Advantages
The cost of living in Tuscaloosa is 11% to 13.1% lower than the national average, with housing expenses being 26% cheaper.
Tuscaloosa's crime rates, including homicides and property crimes, saw significant drops in 2025 compared to 2024.
The average commute time in Tuscaloosa is 19.6 minutes, which is shorter than the U.S. average.
The city has a stable and growing job market, with employment increasing by 1.64% from 2023 to 2024.
Tuscaloosa was ranked among the nation's top 25 cities for small business growth from May 2024 to May 2025.
Drawbacks
Tuscaloosa's violent crime rate of 553.4 per 100,000 residents is higher than the national average of 359.1.
The city has a relatively low walkability score of 33, indicating high car dependency for most errands.
Utility prices in Tuscaloosa are approximately 11% to 13.2% higher than the national average.
A significant portion of Tuscaloosa families, 25.13%, live in poverty.
The city's transit score is not widely reported and appears to be low, suggesting limited public transportation options.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
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
Tuscaloosa
#64Alabama, USA
68.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,450
Avg Salary
$54,163
Cost Index
87
Commute
20 min
Transit Score
20.0/10
Walkability
33.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.89%
Unemployment
4.20%
Livability
65
Business
70
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