City Comparison
Wasilla vs Juneau
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Wasilla scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Wasilla
Juneau
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Wasilla is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
4% lower than in Juneau.
| Metric | Wasilla | Juneau | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,995 | $1,860 | +7% |
| Groceries | $400 | $400 | 0% |
| Utilities | $180 | $432 | -58% |
| Transport | $120 | $120 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $265 | -6% |
| Monthly Total | $2,945 | $3,077 | -4% |
| Cost Index | 122 | 133 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Wasilla offers 3% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Wasilla delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Wasilla is estimated at
$55,000 vs $74,400 in Juneau.
| Metric | Wasilla | Juneau |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $67,234 | $65,000 |
| Salary Needed | $55,000 | $74,400 |
| Purchasing Power | 55,110 idx | 48,872 idx |
| Household Income | $67,234 | $101,661 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Wasilla runs warmer on average — a 39.9°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Wasilla comes out ahead with 220 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Wasilla sees 84.9 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Wasilla | Juneau |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 39.90°F | °F |
| Summer High | 65.00°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 17.00°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 45.70 in | in |
| Snowfall | 84.90 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 220 | |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 81.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Juneau has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
7,500 minutes (125 hours) per year compared to Wasilla.
Juneau scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Wasilla leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Wasilla | Juneau |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 30 min | 15 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 38.0/100 |
| Walkability | 42.0/100 | 21.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 52.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Juneau is the larger city
— approximately 0.3x the population of Wasilla.
From a growth perspective, Wasilla 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 | Wasilla | Juneau |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 9,720 | 31,454 |
| Pop. Growth | 2.81% | — |
| Median Age | 34.8 | 40.0 |
| Unemployment | 4.50% | 3.50% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Wasilla
Advantages
Median property values and overall housing costs remain more accessible than in nearby Anchorage.
Statewide absence of personal income tax and state sales tax helps offset higher daily living expenses.
Unmatched access to world-class outdoor recreation, including fishing, hiking, and winter sports.
Robust local medical infrastructure anchored by the Mat-Su Regional Medical Center.
Strong community spirit and family-oriented neighborhoods with rich cultural heritage.
Drawbacks
Harsh winter conditions with heavy seasonal snowfall averaging 84.9 inches require rigorous preparedness.
High reliance on automobiles with significant traffic congestion along the Parks Highway during peak commutes.
Elevated utility and grocery costs driven by long-distance shipping logistics to Alaska.
Property crime rates that trend slightly above national averages for similarly sized communities.
Limited public transit infrastructure, making personal vehicle ownership an absolute necessity.
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.
Wasilla
#466Alaska, USA
54.7 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,995
Avg Salary
$67,234
Cost Index
122
Commute
30 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
42.0/100
Sunny Days
220/yr
Avg Temp
39.90°F
Pop. Growth
2.81%
Unemployment
4.50%
Livability
75
Business
70
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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