City Comparison
Madison vs Juneau
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Madison scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Madison
Juneau
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Madison is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
23% lower than in Juneau.
Housing costs are a major driver: Madison's average rent is
27% lower than Juneau's.
| Metric | Madison | Juneau | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,358 | $1,860 | -27% |
| Groceries | $450 | $400 | +13% |
| Utilities | $223 | $432 | -48% |
| Transport | $150 | $120 | +25% |
| Healthcare | $200 | $265 | -25% |
| Monthly Total | $2,381 | $3,077 | -23% |
| Cost Index | 96 | 133 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Juneau offers 14% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Madison delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Madison is estimated at
$55,000 vs $74,400 in Juneau.
| Metric | Madison | Juneau |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $56,185 | $65,000 |
| Salary Needed | $55,000 | $74,400 |
| Purchasing Power | 58,526 idx | 48,872 idx |
| Household Income | $134,655 | $101,661 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Madison | Juneau |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 70.00% | 81.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Juneau has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,500 minutes (42 hours) per year compared to Madison.
Juneau scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Juneau leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Madison | Juneau |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 20 min | 15 min |
| Transit Score | 10.0/100 | 38.0/100 |
| Walkability | 17.0/100 | 21.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 50.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Madison is the larger city
— approximately 2x the population of Juneau.
From a growth perspective, Madison is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Madison has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Madison | Juneau |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 64,029 | 31,454 |
| Pop. Growth | 4.40% | — |
| Median Age | 37.3 | 40.0 |
| Unemployment | 2.00% | 3.50% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Madison
Advantages
Madison was ranked as the #9 Best Place to Live in the U.S. by Niche in 2025.
The city's overall crime rate is estimated to be 39% below the national average as of 2026, indicating a high level of safety.
The median household income of $134,655 in 2024 is significantly higher than the national average.
Madison's job market is robust, with employment growing by 7.19% from 2023-2024, particularly in the aerospace and technology sectors.
The city is known for its excellent school systems and a highly family-friendly environment.
Drawbacks
Madison exhibits high car dependency with a low walkability score of 17 and very limited public transit options.
Summers in Madison are characterized as long, muggy, and hot, with high humidity levels.
While overall healthcare costs are below the national average, they are slightly above the Alabama state average.
Some southeastern neighborhoods of Madison report higher crime rates compared to the safer central areas.
The median home price of approximately $420,000 in mid-2024 is higher than the average for the state of Alabama.
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.
Madison
#2Alabama, USA
80.5 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,358
Avg Salary
$56,185
Cost Index
96
Commute
20 min
Transit Score
10.0/100
Walkability
17.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
4.40%
Unemployment
2.00%
Livability
76
Business
78
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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