Performance
Score Breakdown
Albuquerque
Juneau
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Albuquerque is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
46% lower compared to Juneau.
Housing costs are a major driver: Albuquerque's average rent is
35% lower than Juneau's.
| Metric | Albuquerque | Juneau | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,180 | $1,820 | -35% |
| Groceries | $400 | $690 | -42% |
| Utilities | $220 | $325 | -32% |
| Transport | $0 | $230 | -100% |
| Healthcare | $150 | $535 | -72% |
| Monthly Total | $1,950 | $3,600 | -46% |
| Cost Index | 91 | 127 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Juneau offers 10% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Albuquerque delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Albuquerque is estimated at
$47,196 vs $81,000 in Juneau.
| Metric | Albuquerque | Juneau |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $77,000 | $86,000 |
| Salary Needed | $47,196 | $81,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 84,615 idx | 67,717 idx |
| Household Income | $68,317 | $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 | Albuquerque | 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 | 44.00% | 80.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Juneau has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,000 minutes (33 hours) per year compared to Albuquerque.
Albuquerque 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 | Albuquerque | Juneau |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 22 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 52.0/10 | 44.1/10 |
| Walkability | 43.0/10 | 58.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 25.60 | 33.40 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Albuquerque is the larger city
— approximately 17.3x the population of Juneau.
From a growth perspective, Juneau is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Albuquerque has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Albuquerque | Juneau |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 555,119 | 32,000 |
| Pop. Growth | % | 0.40% |
| Median Age | 38.8 | 38.1 |
| Unemployment | 4.30% | 4.70% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $7.6B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Albuquerque
Advantages
The cost of living in Albuquerque is approximately 9.2% lower than the national average, making it an affordable city.
Albuquerque boasts a mild, dry climate with around 310 days of sunshine annually, ideal for outdoor activities.
Public transportation (ABQ RIDE) operates on a permanent Zero Fares program, offering free bus services since January 2022.
The city has a vibrant arts and culture scene, including numerous museums and the renowned International Balloon Fiesta.
Healthcare costs are about 12% cheaper than the typical U.S. city, contributing to overall affordability.
Drawbacks
Albuquerque is largely a car-dependent city, with a walkability score of 43, making many errands difficult without a vehicle.
Despite some decreases in violent crime, the overall crime rate in Albuquerque increased as of August 2024, and burglaries rose by 11% in 2024.
The city's population is currently experiencing a slight decline, with an annual decrease of -0.26% in 2026.
The average annual job growth rate for the Albuquerque MSA was modest at 0.72% in 2024.
Traffic congestion levels average 25.6% in 2025, leading to increased travel times.
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.
Albuquerque
#36New Mexico, USA
68.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,180
Avg Salary
$77,000
Cost Index
91
Commute
22 min
Transit Score
52.0/10
Walkability
43.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.30%
Livability
70
Business
65
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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