City Comparison
Ketchikan vs Juneau
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Ketchikan scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Ketchikan
Juneau
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Ketchikan is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
22% lower than in Juneau.
Housing costs are a major driver: Ketchikan's average rent is
25% lower than Juneau's.
| Metric | Ketchikan | Juneau | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,389 | $1,860 | -25% |
| Groceries | $450 | $400 | +13% |
| Utilities | $180 | $432 | -58% |
| Transport | $120 | $120 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $265 | -6% |
| Monthly Total | $2,389 | $3,077 | -22% |
| Cost Index | 124 | 133 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Ketchikan offers similar average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Ketchikan delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Ketchikan is estimated at
$55,000 vs $74,400 in Juneau.
| Metric | Ketchikan | Juneau |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $65,000 | $65,000 |
| Salary Needed | $55,000 | $74,400 |
| Purchasing Power | 52,419 idx | 48,872 idx |
| Household Income | $85,275 | $101,661 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Ketchikan runs warmer on average — a 45°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Ketchikan comes out ahead with 128 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Ketchikan sees 143.4 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Ketchikan | Juneau |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 45.00°F | °F |
| Summer High | 64.00°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 26.50°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 164.70 in | in |
| Snowfall | 143.40 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 128 | |
| Humidity | 80.00% | 81.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Ketchikan has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
1,500 minutes (25 hours) per year compared to Juneau.
Ketchikan scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Ketchikan leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Ketchikan | Juneau |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 12 min | 15 min |
| Transit Score | 52.0/100 | 38.0/100 |
| Walkability | 65.0/100 | 21.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 35.00 | |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Juneau is the larger city
— approximately 0.3x the population of Ketchikan.
From a growth perspective, Ketchikan is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Ketchikan has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Ketchikan | Juneau |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 8,080 | 31,454 |
| Pop. Growth | — | — |
| Median Age | 37.4 | 40.0 |
| Unemployment | 2.60% | 3.50% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Ketchikan
Advantages
Median home value is approximately $352,400, offering attainable homeownership compared to major West Coast metro areas per U.S. Census data.
Exceptional access to world-class sportfishing, hiking, and pristine wilderness right at your doorstep.
No state personal income tax and no statewide sales tax, helping offset high consumer goods costs.
Short average commute times of around 10 to 15 minutes, ensuring minimal daily traffic congestion.
Strong, close-knit community spirit with a vibrant local culture rooted in rich Alaska Native heritage.
Drawbacks
Extremely high annual rainfall of over 160 inches per year, requiring a tolerance for wet weather.
Geographic isolation means all goods and travel must rely on costly air or marine transportation.
Limited housing inventory restricts options and can drive up rental and purchase competition.
Seasonal economic swings driven by tourism can create employment and housing volatility.
Lack of road connection to the mainland means traveling off-island requires taking a ferry or airplane.
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.
Ketchikan
#362Alaska, USA
59.7 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,389
Avg Salary
$65,000
Cost Index
124
Commute
12 min
Transit Score
52.0/100
Walkability
65.0/100
Sunny Days
128/yr
Avg Temp
45.00°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
2.60%
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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