Performance
Score Breakdown
Lincoln
Juneau
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Juneau is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
316% higher compared to Lincoln.
Housing costs are a major driver: Lincoln's average rent is
27% lower than Juneau's.
| Metric | Lincoln | Juneau | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,363 | $1,860 | -27% |
| Groceries | $400 | $400 | 0% |
| Utilities | $260 | $432 | -40% |
| Transport | $1,200 | $120 | +900% |
| Healthcare | $9,572 | $265 | +3512% |
| Monthly Total | $12,795 | $3,077 | +316% |
| Cost Index | 94 | 133 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Lincoln offers 11% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Lincoln delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Lincoln is estimated at
$52,000 vs $74,400 in Juneau.
| Metric | Lincoln | Juneau |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $71,867 | $65,000 |
| Salary Needed | $52,000 | $74,400 |
| Purchasing Power | 76,454 idx | 48,872 idx |
| Household Income | $71,867 | $101,661 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Lincoln | Juneau |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 65.00% | 81.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Juneau has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
1,500 minutes (25 hours) per year compared to Lincoln.
Lincoln scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Lincoln leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Lincoln | Juneau |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 18 min | 15 min |
| Transit Score | 40.0/10 | 38.0/10 |
| Walkability | 50.0/10 | 21.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 45.00 | |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Lincoln is the larger city
— approximately 9.6x the population of Juneau.
From a growth perspective, Lincoln is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Lincoln has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Lincoln | Juneau |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 303,375 | 31,454 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.61% | % |
| Median Age | 33.4 | 40.0 |
| Unemployment | 2.60% | 3.50% |
| GDP | $150.9B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Lincoln
Advantages
Lincoln's cost of living is approximately 6% lower than the national average, driven by more affordable housing and utilities.
The city boasts a low unemployment rate of 2.6% as of May 2026, significantly lower than the national average.
Lincoln has a shorter average commute time of 19.5 minutes, saving residents time compared to the national average.
The city is recognized for its exceptional public safety, with Part 1 crime reaching a 25-year low in 2025.
Over 40% of adults in Lincoln have a bachelor's degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Drawbacks
While overall cost of living is lower, healthcare costs in Lincoln are about 3% higher than the U.S. average.
Lincoln's employment and wage growth rates have been nearly identical to Omaha's, which have been slower than comparable cities.
Public transportation options, while affordable, have a limited reach around the city.
The state of Nebraska, including Lincoln, has experienced low population and labor force growth due to people relocating to other states.
Some goods and services in Lincoln are approximately 4% pricier than 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.
Lincoln
#21Nebraska, USA
72.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,363
Avg Salary
$71,867
Cost Index
94
Commute
18 min
Transit Score
40.0/10
Walkability
50.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.61%
Unemployment
2.60%
Livability
74
Business
68
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
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