City Comparison
Nome vs Juneau
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Juneau scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Nome
Juneau
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Nome is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
3% lower than in Juneau.
Housing costs are a major driver: Nome's average rent is
19% lower than Juneau's.
| Metric | Nome | Juneau | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,500 | $1,860 | -19% |
| Groceries | $650 | $400 | +63% |
| Utilities | $350 | $432 | -19% |
| Transport | $200 | $120 | +67% |
| Healthcare | $300 | $265 | +13% |
| Monthly Total | $3,000 | $3,077 | -3% |
| Cost Index | 145 | 133 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Nome offers 5% 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 Nome is estimated at
$60,000 vs $74,400 in Juneau.
| Metric | Nome | Juneau |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $68,000 | $65,000 |
| Salary Needed | $60,000 | $74,400 |
| Purchasing Power | 46,897 idx | 48,872 idx |
| Household Income | $113,646 | $101,661 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Nome runs warmer on average — a 29.3°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Nome comes out ahead with 233 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Nome sees 78.7 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Nome | Juneau |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 29.30°F | °F |
| Summer High | 56.30°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 5.00°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 34.60 in | in |
| Snowfall | 78.70 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 233 | |
| Humidity | 72.00% | 81.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Nome has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
4,500 minutes (75 hours) per year compared to Juneau.
Nome scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Nome leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Nome | Juneau |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 6 min | 15 min |
| Transit Score | 40.0/100 | 38.0/100 |
| Walkability | 62.0/100 | 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 Nome.
From a growth perspective, Nome 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 | Nome | Juneau |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 3,653 | 31,454 |
| Pop. Growth | — | — |
| Median Age | 31.4 | 40.0 |
| Unemployment | 8.50% | 3.50% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Nome
Advantages
Median household income stands robustly at $113,646 per the U.S. Census Bureau
Home to the historic finish line of the world-famous Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race
Comprehensive local care provided by Norton Sound Regional Hospital
Rich Inupiat cultural heritage with active community traditions and subsistence lifestyle
Unrivaled access to pristine Arctic wilderness, fishing, and outdoor recreation
Drawbacks
High cost of living and expensive retail goods due to remote fly-in/barge-only logistics
Severe winter weather with prolonged sub-zero temperatures and high heating expenses
Limited local housing inventory and high construction/shipping costs for building materials
Isolation from the primary Alaska highway system, requiring costly air travel for off-peninsula trips
Higher-than-average local crime rates relative to smaller U.S. towns
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.
Nome
#596Alaska, USA
41.8 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,500
Avg Salary
$68,000
Cost Index
145
Commute
6 min
Transit Score
40.0/100
Walkability
62.0/100
Sunny Days
233/yr
Avg Temp
29.30°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
8.50%
Livability
70
Business
62
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
Calculate Your Cost Impact
Estimate the salary you'd need when moving between Nome and Juneau.
Open Cost Calculator