Performance
Score Breakdown
Anchorage
Juneau
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Juneau is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
3% higher compared to Anchorage.
| Metric | Anchorage | Juneau | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,950 | $1,820 | +7% |
| Groceries | $670 | $690 | -3% |
| Utilities | $310 | $325 | -5% |
| Transport | $240 | $230 | +4% |
| Healthcare | $520 | $535 | -3% |
| Monthly Total | $3,690 | $3,600 | +3% |
| Cost Index | 119 | 127 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Juneau offers 2% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Anchorage delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Anchorage is estimated at
$79,000 vs $81,000 in Juneau.
| Metric | Anchorage | Juneau |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $84,000 | $86,000 |
| Salary Needed | $79,000 | $81,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 70,588 idx | 67,717 idx |
| Household Income | $86,500 | $88,100 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 4.6°F of each other.
For sunshine, Anchorage comes out ahead with 36 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Juneau sees 7.8 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Anchorage | Juneau |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 37.50°F | 42.10°F |
| Summer High | 66.00°F | 64.00°F |
| Winter Low | 11.00°F | 22.00°F |
| Rainfall | 16.50 in | 62.00 in |
| Snowfall | 79.20 in | 87.00 in |
| Sunny Days | 126 | 90 |
| Humidity | 75.00% | 80.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other.
Juneau scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Juneau leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Anchorage | Juneau |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 20 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 31.5/10 | 44.1/10 |
| Walkability | 42.2/10 | 58.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 40.00 | 33.40 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Anchorage is the larger city
— approximately 9.1x the population of Juneau.
From a growth perspective, Anchorage 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 | Anchorage | Juneau |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 291,247 | 32,000 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.70% | 0.40% |
| Median Age | 34.5 | 38.1 |
| Unemployment | 5.20% | 4.70% |
| GDP | $57.0B | $7.6B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Anchorage
Advantages
Outdoor lifestyle opportunities
Drawbacks
Higher living costs
Juneau
Advantages
Scenic and unique lifestyle
Drawbacks
Remote and expensive
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Anchorage
#4Alaska, USA
84.8 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,950
Avg Salary
$84,000
Cost Index
119
Commute
20 min
Transit Score
31.5/10
Walkability
42.2/10
Sunny Days
126/yr
Avg Temp
37.50°F
Pop. Growth
0.70%
Unemployment
5.20%
Livability
87
Business
82
Juneau
#5Alaska, USA
82.5 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,820
Avg Salary
$86,000
Cost Index
127
Commute
18 min
Transit Score
44.1/10
Walkability
58.0/10
Sunny Days
90/yr
Avg Temp
42.10°F
Pop. Growth
0.40%
Unemployment
4.70%
Livability
85
Business
80
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