City Comparison
Grand Rapids vs Juneau
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Grand Rapids scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Grand Rapids
Juneau
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Grand Rapids is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
13% lower than in Juneau.
Housing costs are a major driver: Grand Rapids's average rent is
19% lower than Juneau's.
| Metric | Grand Rapids | Juneau | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,500 | $1,860 | -19% |
| Groceries | $650 | $400 | +63% |
| Utilities | $235 | $432 | -46% |
| Transport | $150 | $120 | +25% |
| Healthcare | $152 | $265 | -43% |
| Monthly Total | $2,687 | $3,077 | -13% |
| Cost Index | 95 | 133 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Juneau offers 24% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Grand Rapids delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Grand Rapids is estimated at
$41,000 vs $74,400 in Juneau.
| Metric | Grand Rapids | Juneau |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $49,334 | $65,000 |
| Salary Needed | $41,000 | $74,400 |
| Purchasing Power | 51,931 idx | 48,872 idx |
| Household Income | $69,108 | $101,661 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Grand Rapids | Juneau |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 70.00% | 81.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Juneau has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,000 minutes (33 hours) per year compared to Grand Rapids.
Grand Rapids scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Grand Rapids leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Grand Rapids | Juneau |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 19 min | 15 min |
| Transit Score | 45.0/100 | 38.0/100 |
| Walkability | 55.0/100 | 21.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 21.00 | |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Grand Rapids is the larger city
— approximately 6.4x the population of Juneau.
From a growth perspective, Grand Rapids 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 | Grand Rapids | Juneau |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 201,357 | 31,454 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.09% | — |
| Median Age | 32.3 | 40.0 |
| Unemployment | 3.60% | 3.50% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Grand Rapids
Advantages
The cost of living in Grand Rapids is approximately 5% lower than the national average, making it an affordable place to reside.
Grand Rapids boasts a diverse and growing job market, particularly in manufacturing, healthcare, and technology sectors, with a projected job growth rate of 0.2% in 2026.
The city has a relatively young median age of 32.3 years, contributing to a dynamic and energetic community.
Grand Rapids was ranked among the best cities in the country for starting a career in May 2026, indicating a strong entrepreneurial and professional environment.
The presence of major healthcare institutions like Corewell Health Butterworth Hospital ensures high-quality medical care and a significant number of facilities.
Drawbacks
Grand Rapids has a higher crime rate compared to most communities in Michigan, with a 1 in 30 chance of being a victim of violent or property crime.
While overall cost of living is lower, healthcare costs in Grand Rapids are about 4.1% higher than the national average.
The city's unemployment rate, at 3.6% in April 2026, is slightly above the national average of 4.198%.
Despite efforts to improve, public transit options and walkability scores are not exceptionally high, suggesting a medium car dependency for residents.
The housing market is competitive, with homes selling quickly and median prices increasing by 3.4% year-over-year as of May 2026.
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.
Grand Rapids
#316Michigan, USA
60.8 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,500
Avg Salary
$49,334
Cost Index
95
Commute
19 min
Transit Score
45.0/100
Walkability
55.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.09%
Unemployment
3.60%
Livability
74
Business
70
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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