City Comparison
Unalaska vs Juneau
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Unalaska scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Unalaska
Juneau
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Unalaska is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
10% lower than in Juneau.
Housing costs are a major driver: Unalaska's average rent is
11% lower than Juneau's.
| Metric | Unalaska | Juneau | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,650 | $1,860 | -11% |
| Groceries | $500 | $400 | +25% |
| Utilities | $180 | $432 | -58% |
| Transport | $150 | $120 | +25% |
| Healthcare | $300 | $265 | +13% |
| Monthly Total | $2,780 | $3,077 | -10% |
| Cost Index | 135 | 133 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Unalaska offers 11% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Unalaska delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Unalaska is estimated at
$65,000 vs $74,400 in Juneau.
| Metric | Unalaska | Juneau |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $72,000 | $65,000 |
| Salary Needed | $65,000 | $74,400 |
| Purchasing Power | 53,333 idx | 48,872 idx |
| Household Income | $131,964 | $101,661 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Unalaska runs warmer on average — a 42.2°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Unalaska comes out ahead with 156 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Unalaska sees 94.1 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Unalaska | Juneau |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 42.20°F | °F |
| Summer High | 55.70°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 33.20°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 68.80 in | in |
| Snowfall | 94.10 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 156 | |
| Humidity | 80.00% | 81.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Unalaska has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
4,500 minutes (75 hours) per year compared to Juneau.
Juneau scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Unalaska leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Unalaska | Juneau |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 6 min | 15 min |
| Transit Score | 30.0/100 | 38.0/100 |
| Walkability | 55.0/100 | 21.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 35.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Juneau is the larger city
— approximately 0.1x the population of Unalaska.
From a growth perspective, Unalaska 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 | Unalaska | Juneau |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 4,308 | 31,454 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.05% | — |
| Median Age | 40.4 | 40.0 |
| Unemployment | 4.50% | 3.50% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Unalaska
Advantages
Unalaska's port of Dutch Harbor has led the nation in commercial fish landings volume for decades per municipal data.
Median household incomes are robust, averaging $131,964 according to U.S. Census Bureau estimates.
Violent crime is exceptionally low, offering a secure and tight-knit community atmosphere.
Proximity to pristine wilderness, world-class sport fishing, and dramatic Aleutian landscapes.
Rich multicultural environment shaped by long-standing Alaska Native heritage and international seafood workers.
Drawbacks
Extreme isolation results in high grocery and freight costs, running significantly above the U.S. average.
Severe subarctic weather and high winds frequently disrupt air travel and cargo shipping.
Very tight local housing inventory with elevated home purchase and rental costs.
Limited options for retail shopping, dining, and specialized medical care on the island.
Harsh, wet, and windy winters with limited daylight hours.
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.
Unalaska
#487Alaska, USA
53.7 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,650
Avg Salary
$72,000
Cost Index
135
Commute
6 min
Transit Score
30.0/100
Walkability
55.0/100
Sunny Days
156/yr
Avg Temp
42.20°F
Pop. Growth
0.05%
Unemployment
4.50%
Livability
72
Business
65
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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