Juneau
Alaska, USA
#5 in USA
83
Overall Score
VS
Los Angeles
California, USA
#8 in USA
78
Overall Score
Juneau scores higher overall

Score Breakdown

Juneau
Los Angeles
Livability
85
80
Affordability
64
45
Business
80
75
Growth
77
68
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Cost of Living

Juneau is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately 7% lower compared to Los Angeles. Housing costs are a major driver: Juneau's average rent is 31% lower than Los Angeles's.
MetricJuneauLos AngelesDiff
Average Rent
$1,820$2,656-31%
Groceries
$690$550+25%
Utilities
$325$320+2%
Transport
$230$150+53%
Healthcare
$535$200+168%
Monthly Total
$3,600$3,876-7%
Cost Index
127152out of 100

Salary & Income

Juneau offers 15% higher 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 Juneau is estimated at $81,000 vs $100,000 in Los Angeles.
MetricJuneauLos Angeles
Average Salary
$86,000$75,000
Salary Needed
$81,000$100,000
Purchasing Power
67,717 idx49,342 idx
Household Income
$88,100$90,757

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.
MetricJuneauLos Angeles
Avg Temp
42.10°F°F
Summer High
64.00°F°F
Winter Low
22.00°F°F
Rainfall
62.00 in in
Snowfall
87.00 in in
Sunny Days
90
Humidity
80.00%69.00%

Commute & Transport

Juneau has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly 7,000 minutes (117 hours) per year compared to Los Angeles. Los Angeles scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living. For walkability, Los Angeles leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
MetricJuneauLos Angeles
Commute Time
18 min32 min
Transit Score
44.1/1050.0/10
Walkability
58.0/1068.0/10
Traffic Index
33.4075.00
Car Dependency
MediumHigh
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Economy & Demographics

Los Angeles is the larger city . From a growth perspective, Juneau 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.
MetricJuneauLos Angeles
Population
32,0003,869,089
Pop. Growth
0.40%%
Median Age
38.137.0
Unemployment
4.70%5.60%
GDP
$7.6B$760.0B

Pros & Cons

Juneau
Advantages
Scenic and unique lifestyle
Drawbacks
Remote and expensive
Los Angeles
Advantages
Los Angeles boasts a diverse and robust economy, with strong sectors in healthcare, trade, and entertainment.
The city offers a vibrant cultural scene, including world-class museums, theaters, and a diverse culinary landscape.
Residents enjoy a Mediterranean climate with abundant sunshine and mild winters, ideal for outdoor activities.
Los Angeles is a global hub for innovation and technology, attracting talent and fostering new businesses.
The metropolitan area provides access to numerous educational institutions, from community colleges to top-tier universities.
Drawbacks
The cost of living in Los Angeles is significantly higher than the national average, primarily driven by expensive housing.
Los Angeles experiences considerable traffic congestion, leading to long commute times and high car dependency.
Housing affordability remains a major challenge, with median home prices exceeding $1.0 million as of April 2026.
The city has experienced population decline in recent years, with Los Angeles County losing over 53,000 residents between July 2024 and July 2025.
The unemployment rate in Los Angeles County, at 5.6% in December 2025, is higher than the national average.
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Dive Deeper

Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.

Juneau
#5
Alaska, 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
View Full Profile
Los Angeles
#8
California, USA
78.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,656
Avg Salary
$75,000
Cost Index
152
Commute
32 min
Transit Score
50.0/10
Walkability
68.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
5.60%
Livability
80
Business
75
View Full Profile

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