City Comparison
Valdez vs Juneau
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Valdez scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Valdez
Juneau
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Valdez is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
18% lower than in Juneau.
Housing costs are a major driver: Valdez's average rent is
27% lower than Juneau's.
| Metric | Valdez | Juneau | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,350 | $1,860 | -27% |
| Groceries | $520 | $400 | +30% |
| Utilities | $220 | $432 | -49% |
| Transport | $150 | $120 | +25% |
| Healthcare | $280 | $265 | +6% |
| Monthly Total | $2,520 | $3,077 | -18% |
| Cost Index | 128 | 133 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Valdez offers 5% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Valdez delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Valdez is estimated at
$60,000 vs $74,400 in Juneau.
| Metric | Valdez | Juneau |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $68,000 | $65,000 |
| Salary Needed | $60,000 | $74,400 |
| Purchasing Power | 53,125 idx | 48,872 idx |
| Household Income | $99,271 | $101,661 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Valdez runs warmer on average — a 38.9°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Valdez comes out ahead with 139 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Valdez sees 419.7 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Valdez | Juneau |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 38.90°F | °F |
| Summer High | 60.90°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 18.60°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 115.50 in | in |
| Snowfall | 419.70 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 139 | |
| Humidity | 72.00% | 81.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Valdez has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,000 minutes (33 hours) per year compared to Juneau.
Juneau scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Valdez leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Valdez | Juneau |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 11 min | 15 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 38.0/100 |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 21.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 25.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Juneau is the larger city
— approximately 0.1x the population of Valdez.
From a growth perspective, Valdez 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 | Valdez | Juneau |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 3,847 | 31,454 |
| Pop. Growth | — | — |
| Median Age | 38.4 | 40.0 |
| Unemployment | 4.80% | 3.50% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Valdez
Advantages
Average home values remain relatively stable around $351,711 per recent Zillow market data.
Residents enjoy zero state income tax and benefit from annual Alaska Permanent Fund Dividend payouts.
Exceptional proximity to world-class glaciers, sportfishing, and backcountry winter recreation.
High-wage career opportunities centered around the Trans-Alaska Pipeline marine terminal and energy sector.
Extremely low crime rates and a strong, supportive community-oriented atmosphere.
Drawbacks
High cost of living driven by freight and shipping expenses inherent to remote coastal Alaska geography.
Challenging rental market inventory with a significant portion of housing utilized for seasonal or corporate needs.
Severe winter weather conditions featuring heavy snowfall averaging over 400 inches annually.
Limited local availability for specialized medical care, often requiring transit to Anchorage.
Geographic isolation with limited road access routes out of the community during heavy winter storms.
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.
Valdez
#399Alaska, USA
58.4 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,350
Avg Salary
$68,000
Cost Index
128
Commute
11 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
139/yr
Avg Temp
38.90°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.80%
Livability
76
Business
67
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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