City Comparison
Soldotna vs Juneau
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Juneau scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Soldotna
Juneau
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Soldotna is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
3% lower than in Juneau.
| Metric | Soldotna | Juneau | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,850 | $1,860 | -1% |
| Groceries | $520 | $400 | +30% |
| Utilities | $210 | $432 | -51% |
| Transport | $140 | $120 | +17% |
| Healthcare | $270 | $265 | +2% |
| Monthly Total | $2,990 | $3,077 | -3% |
| Cost Index | 118 | 133 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Juneau offers 5% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Soldotna delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Soldotna is estimated at
$58,000 vs $74,400 in Juneau.
| Metric | Soldotna | Juneau |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $62,000 | $65,000 |
| Salary Needed | $58,000 | $74,400 |
| Purchasing Power | 52,542 idx | 48,872 idx |
| Household Income | $56,280 | $101,661 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Soldotna runs warmer on average — a 38.7°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Soldotna comes out ahead with 223 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Soldotna sees 63.7 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Soldotna | Juneau |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 38.70°F | °F |
| Summer High | 62.10°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 14.60°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 37.40 in | in |
| Snowfall | 63.70 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 223 | |
| Humidity | 72.00% | 81.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 1 minutes of each other.
Juneau scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Soldotna leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Soldotna | Juneau |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 14 min | 15 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 38.0/100 |
| Walkability | 45.0/100 | 21.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 38.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Juneau is the larger city
— approximately 0.1x the population of Soldotna.
From a growth perspective, Soldotna 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 | Soldotna | Juneau |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 4,485 | 31,454 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.19% | — |
| Median Age | 33.1 | 40.0 |
| Unemployment | 5.90% | 3.50% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Soldotna
Advantages
Median home values remain relatively accessible at around $306,000 compared to broader U.S. coastal markets.
World-class access to salmon fishing and outdoor recreation directly within city limits along the Kenai River.
Short average commute times of under 15 minutes allow for an unhurried daily routine.
Serves as a robust regional healthcare hub anchored by Central Peninsula Hospital.
High rates of U.S. citizenship and a strong, tight-knit community civic engagement profile.
Drawbacks
Higher overall cost of living driven by freight and remote shipping expenses for everyday goods.
Limited public transportation infrastructure enforces high car dependency.
Severe winter conditions and limited daylight hours require substantial seasonal adjustment.
Rental market volatility during summer months due to seasonal tourism and fishing worker influxes.
Poverty rate sits somewhat higher than national averages at approximately 16.4%.
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.
Soldotna
#554Alaska, USA
47.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,850
Avg Salary
$62,000
Cost Index
118
Commute
14 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
45.0/100
Sunny Days
223/yr
Avg Temp
38.70°F
Pop. Growth
1.19%
Unemployment
5.90%
Livability
75
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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