Performance
Score Breakdown
Omaha
Juneau
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Omaha is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
22% lower compared to Juneau.
Housing costs are a major driver: Omaha's average rent is
22% lower than Juneau's.
| Metric | Omaha | Juneau | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,450 | $1,860 | -22% |
| Groceries | $400 | $400 | 0% |
| Utilities | $180 | $432 | -58% |
| Transport | $120 | $120 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $265 | -6% |
| Monthly Total | $2,400 | $3,077 | -22% |
| Cost Index | 92 | 133 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Omaha offers 1% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Omaha delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Omaha is estimated at
$55,000 vs $74,400 in Juneau.
| Metric | Omaha | Juneau |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $65,465 | $65,000 |
| Salary Needed | $55,000 | $74,400 |
| Purchasing Power | 71,158 idx | 48,872 idx |
| Household Income | $73,201 | $101,661 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Omaha | 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
2,500 minutes (42 hours) per year compared to Omaha.
Juneau scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Omaha leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Omaha | Juneau |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 20 min | 15 min |
| Transit Score | 30.0/10 | 38.0/10 |
| Walkability | 47.0/10 | 21.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 30.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Omaha is the larger city
— approximately 15.7x the population of Juneau.
From a growth perspective, Omaha is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Omaha has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Omaha | Juneau |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 494,169 | 31,454 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.84% | % |
| Median Age | 35.3 | 40.0 |
| Unemployment | 2.90% | 3.50% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Omaha
Advantages
The cost of living in Omaha is 8.1% lower than the U.S. average, making it highly affordable.
Omaha boasts a low unemployment rate of 2.9% as of May 2026, indicating a strong job market.
The average commute time is relatively short at 19.6 minutes in 2024.
Median household income was $73,201 in 2024, reflecting healthy earning potential.
The city has a diverse and growing economy driven by key sectors like healthcare, finance, and education.
Drawbacks
Omaha has a 'Car-Dependent' Walk Score of 47 and 'Minimal Transit' Transit Score of 30, indicating limited public transportation and walkability options.
Assisted living costs in Omaha, at $6,150 per month in 2024, are higher than the state average.
The city experienced a slight population decline of 0.6% from April 2020 to mid-2025 according to one estimate, though other projections show growth.
While generally safe, like any major city, crime rates can be a concern in specific areas.
Specific job growth rates and new business formation rates for 2024+ were not consistently available, making it difficult to quantify recent economic momentum.
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.
Omaha
#21Nebraska, USA
72.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,450
Avg Salary
$65,465
Cost Index
92
Commute
20 min
Transit Score
30.0/10
Walkability
47.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.84%
Unemployment
2.90%
Livability
74
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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