Performance
Score Breakdown
Barrie
Juneau
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Juneau is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
1% higher compared to Barrie.
| Metric | Barrie | Juneau | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,810 | $1,820 | -1% |
| Groceries | $1,460 | $690 | +112% |
| Utilities | $259 | $325 | -20% |
| Transport | $91 | $230 | -60% |
| Healthcare | $0 | $535 | -100% |
| Monthly Total | $3,620 | $3,600 | +1% |
| Cost Index | 112 | 127 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Juneau offers 96% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Juneau delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Barrie is estimated at
$5,425 vs $81,000 in Juneau.
| Metric | Barrie | Juneau |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $3,480 | $86,000 |
| Salary Needed | $5,425 | $81,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 3,107 idx | 67,717 idx |
| Household Income | $67,000 | $88,100 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Juneau runs warmer on average — a 42.1°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Juneau comes out ahead with 90 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Juneau sees 87 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Barrie | Juneau |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | 42.10°F |
| Summer High | °F | 64.00°F |
| Winter Low | °F | 22.00°F |
| Rainfall | in | 62.00 in |
| Snowfall | in | 87.00 in |
| Sunny Days | 90 | |
| Humidity | % | 80.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Barrie has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
9,000 minutes (150 hours) per year compared to Juneau.
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 | Barrie | Juneau |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 0.0/10 | 44.1/10 |
| Walkability | 0.0/10 | 58.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 33.40 | |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Barrie is the larger city
— approximately 5.6x the population of Juneau.
From a growth perspective, Barrie 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 | Barrie | Juneau |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 179,450 | 32,000 |
| Pop. Growth | 4.20% | 0.40% |
| Median Age | 38.1 | |
| Unemployment | 12.50% | 4.70% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $7.6B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Barrie
Advantages
Barrie was ranked as the second fastest-growing city in Canada in 2025, indicating strong population inflows.
The average home price in Barrie was $711,800 CAD in December 2025, which is more affordable than the Greater Toronto Area.
Barrie is recognized as a safe city, having been ranked among the safest in Canada with a low violent Crime Severity Index.
The Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre (RVH) is undergoing a significant expansion, planning to double its size and build a new South Campus, enhancing healthcare access.
Barrie boasts over 350 hectares of park space, with 93% of residents having a park or green space close to their home.
Drawbacks
The unemployment rate in Barrie was 12.5% in 2024, which is higher than the national average.
The average rent in Barrie, at $1,810 USD per month as of June 2026, is comparable to the national median rent, indicating it's not significantly cheaper than other areas in Canada.
Food costs are projected to increase, with an average family of four expected to pay an estimated $994.63 CAD more for food in 2026 than in 2025.
Barrie's cost of living is 12% higher than the national average.
The city's rapid growth has led to a shortage of developable lands within its municipal boundary, posing challenges for future housing and employment needs.
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.
Barrie
#4Ontario, Canada
72.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,810
Avg Salary
$3,480
Cost Index
112
Commute
min
Transit Score
0.0/10
Walkability
0.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
4.20%
Unemployment
12.50%
Livability
74
Business
68
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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