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 approximately
29% lower compared to Juneau.
Housing costs are a major driver: Grand Rapids's average rent is
12% lower than Juneau's.
| Metric | Grand Rapids | Juneau | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,595 | $1,820 | -12% |
| Groceries | $425 | $690 | -38% |
| Utilities | $180 | $325 | -45% |
| Transport | $120 | $230 | -48% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $535 | -53% |
| Monthly Total | $2,570 | $3,600 | -29% |
| Cost Index | 104 | 127 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Juneau offers 20% 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 Grand Rapids is estimated at
$55,356 vs $81,000 in Juneau.
| Metric | Grand Rapids | Juneau |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $69,014 | $86,000 |
| Salary Needed | $55,356 | $81,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 66,360 idx | 67,717 idx |
| Household Income | $69,108 | $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 | Grand Rapids | 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 | 71.00% | 80.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 1 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 | Grand Rapids | Juneau |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 19 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 40.0/10 | 44.1/10 |
| Walkability | 50.0/10 | 58.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 45.00 | 33.40 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Grand Rapids is the larger city
— approximately 6.3x 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, Grand Rapids has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Grand Rapids | Juneau |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 200,117 | 32,000 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.40% | 0.40% |
| Median Age | 32.3 | 38.1 |
| Unemployment | 4.30% | 4.70% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $7.6B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Grand Rapids
Advantages
The Grand Rapids metropolitan area's population grew by 0.4% in 2025, outpacing the statewide growth rate.
The average rent in Grand Rapids is $1,595 per month as of June 2026, which is 18% below the national average.
Grand Rapids' economy is projected to see employment growth between 1.0% and 1.6% in 2025.
The city's housing market is competitive, with homes selling in an average of 6 days as of May 2026.
Assisted living and nursing home care costs in Grand Rapids are below national averages, offering more affordable senior care options.
Drawbacks
Grand Rapids has a crime rate of 33 per one thousand residents, which is higher than 95% of communities in Michigan.
The chance of becoming a victim of violent crime in Grand Rapids is 1 in 111, higher than the Michigan state average.
Property crime is prevalent, with a 1 in 40 chance of being a victim of theft, burglary, or vandalism.
The overall cost of living in Grand Rapids is slightly above the national average, primarily driven by higher housing costs.
Despite job growth, the number of jobs in the Greater Grand Rapids region has remained mostly flat at around 600,000 for the last three years.
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.
Grand Rapids
#19Michigan, USA
72.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,595
Avg Salary
$69,014
Cost Index
104
Commute
19 min
Transit Score
40.0/10
Walkability
50.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.40%
Unemployment
4.30%
Livability
74
Business
70
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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