City Comparison
Dillingham vs Juneau
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Juneau scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Dillingham
Juneau
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Dillingham is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
13% lower than in Juneau.
Housing costs are a major driver: Dillingham's average rent is
33% lower than Juneau's.
| Metric | Dillingham | Juneau | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,250 | $1,860 | -33% |
| Groceries | $650 | $400 | +63% |
| Utilities | $280 | $432 | -35% |
| Transport | $200 | $120 | +67% |
| Healthcare | $300 | $265 | +13% |
| Monthly Total | $2,680 | $3,077 | -13% |
| Cost Index | 135 | 133 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Dillingham offers 11% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Dillingham delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Dillingham is estimated at
$65,000 vs $74,400 in Juneau.
| Metric | Dillingham | Juneau |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $72,000 | $65,000 |
| Salary Needed | $65,000 | $74,400 |
| Purchasing Power | 53,333 idx | 48,872 idx |
| Household Income | $101,200 | $101,661 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Dillingham runs warmer on average — a 37.1°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Dillingham comes out ahead with 211 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Dillingham sees 62.8 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Dillingham | Juneau |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 37.10°F | °F |
| Summer High | 60.90°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 16.80°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 45.70 in | in |
| Snowfall | 62.80 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 211 | |
| Humidity | 75.00% | 81.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Dillingham has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,500 minutes (42 hours) per year compared to Juneau.
Juneau scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Dillingham leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Dillingham | Juneau |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 10 min | 15 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 38.0/100 |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 21.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 30.00 | |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Juneau is the larger city
— approximately 0.1x the population of Dillingham.
From a growth perspective, Dillingham 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 | Dillingham | Juneau |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,109 | 31,454 |
| Pop. Growth | — | — |
| Median Age | 35.5 | 40.0 |
| Unemployment | 5.40% | 3.50% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Dillingham
Advantages
World-class access to pristine wilderness, sport fishing, and outdoor recreation right outside your door.
Strong, close-knit community fabric with rich Alaska Native cultural heritage and traditions.
Lucrative seasonal employment and business opportunities tied to the world's largest sockeye salmon fishery.
Very short average commute times under 10 minutes due to compact town geography.
Comprehensive regional healthcare services provided locally through Kanakanak Hospital.
Drawbacks
High cost of living and inflated grocery prices driven by remote air and barge freight logistics.
Isolation from the main highway system, requiring costly flights or boat travel to reach Anchorage.
Severe subarctic winter climate with limited daylight hours and heavy snow loads.
Fluctuating economic stability tied directly to the annual success and pricing of the commercial salmon harvest.
Limited options for retail shopping, dining, and specialized entertainment.
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.
Dillingham
#543Alaska, USA
49.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,250
Avg Salary
$72,000
Cost Index
135
Commute
10 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
211/yr
Avg Temp
37.10°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
5.40%
Livability
72
Business
65
Juneau
#520Alaska, USA
51.3 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,860
Avg Salary
$65,000
Cost Index
133
Commute
15 min
Transit Score
38.0/100
Walkability
21.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
3.50%
Livability
80
Business
70
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