Performance
Score Breakdown
Mobile
Juneau
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Mobile is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
24% lower compared to Juneau.
Housing costs are a major driver: Mobile's average rent is
39% lower than Juneau's.
| Metric | Mobile | Juneau | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,132 | $1,860 | -39% |
| Groceries | $450 | $400 | +13% |
| Utilities | $398 | $432 | -8% |
| Transport | $120 | $120 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $265 | -6% |
| Monthly Total | $2,350 | $3,077 | -24% |
| Cost Index | 88 | 133 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Mobile offers 5% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Mobile delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Mobile is estimated at
$55,000 vs $74,400 in Juneau.
| Metric | Mobile | Juneau |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $68,000 | $65,000 |
| Salary Needed | $55,000 | $74,400 |
| Purchasing Power | 77,273 idx | 48,872 idx |
| Household Income | $53,558 | $101,661 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Mobile | Juneau |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 74.00% | 81.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Juneau has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,500 minutes (58 hours) per year compared to Mobile.
Juneau scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Mobile leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Mobile | Juneau |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 22 min | 15 min |
| Transit Score | 20.0/10 | 38.0/10 |
| Walkability | 61.0/10 | 21.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 55.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Mobile is the larger city
— approximately 6.4x the population of Juneau.
From a growth perspective, Mobile is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Mobile has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Mobile | Juneau |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 201,367 | 31,454 |
| Pop. Growth | % | % |
| Median Age | 37.3 | 40.0 |
| Unemployment | 3.30% | 3.50% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Mobile
Advantages
The cost of living in Mobile is 12% lower than the national average, making it an affordable place to reside.
Mobile County experienced significant job growth, adding 3,400 jobs from June 2024 to June 2025.
The average commute time of 21.9 minutes is shorter than the U.S. average, improving daily travel.
Mobile Infirmary was recognized among Southern Alabama's Best Regional Hospitals in 2024-25 by U.S. News & World Report.
The city boasts a rich cultural heritage, being the birthplace of Mardi Gras in the United States.
Drawbacks
Mobile's overall crime rate is 67% above the national average, with violent crimes 109% higher.
The city's population is currently declining at an annual rate of -0.61% as of 2026.
Utility prices in Mobile are about 5% higher than the national average.
Public transportation usage is very low, with only 0.8% of the population taking mass transit.
The poverty rate in Mobile was 18.4% in 2024, higher 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.
Mobile
#49Alabama, USA
70.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,132
Avg Salary
$68,000
Cost Index
88
Commute
22 min
Transit Score
20.0/10
Walkability
61.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
3.30%
Livability
73
Business
70
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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