City Comparison
Wrangell vs Juneau
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Wrangell scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Wrangell
Juneau
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Wrangell is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
26% lower than in Juneau.
Housing costs are a major driver: Wrangell's average rent is
41% lower than Juneau's.
| Metric | Wrangell | Juneau | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,100 | $1,860 | -41% |
| Groceries | $520 | $400 | +30% |
| Utilities | $220 | $432 | -49% |
| Transport | $150 | $120 | +25% |
| Healthcare | $280 | $265 | +6% |
| Monthly Total | $2,270 | $3,077 | -26% |
| Cost Index | 122 | 133 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Juneau offers 2% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Wrangell delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Wrangell is estimated at
$52,000 vs $74,400 in Juneau.
| Metric | Wrangell | Juneau |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $63,750 | $65,000 |
| Salary Needed | $52,000 | $74,400 |
| Purchasing Power | 52,254 idx | 48,872 idx |
| Household Income | $63,750 | $101,661 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Wrangell runs warmer on average — a 43°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Wrangell comes out ahead with 140 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Wrangell sees 183.5 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Wrangell | Juneau |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 43.00°F | °F |
| Summer High | 64.70°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 21.00°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 132.30 in | in |
| Snowfall | 183.50 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 140 | |
| Humidity | 78.00% | 81.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Wrangell has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,000 minutes (50 hours) per year compared to Juneau.
Juneau scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Wrangell leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Wrangell | Juneau |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 9 min | 15 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 38.0/100 |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 21.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 20.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Juneau is the larger city
— approximately 0.1x the population of Wrangell.
From a growth perspective, Wrangell is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Wrangell has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Wrangell | Juneau |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,007 | 31,454 |
| Pop. Growth | — | — |
| Median Age | 48.1 | 40.0 |
| Unemployment | 3.00% | 3.50% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Wrangell
Advantages
Median monthly rent for multi-family units ranks among the most affordable in Southeast Alaska per state labor reports
Exceptionally low violent crime rates offer a safe, secure environment for families and retirees
Unrivaled proximity to pristine wilderness, sportfishing, and outdoor recreational opportunities
A tight-knit, supportive community with high civic engagement and volunteerism
Local employment stability anchored by healthcare, public administration, and seafood processing
Drawbacks
Geographic isolation drives up the cost of groceries, freight, and goods shipped to the island
Limited housing inventory and low rental vacancy rates can make finding accommodation difficult
Harsh winter weather with heavy snowfall and limited daylight hours requires lifestyle adjustments
Employment opportunities are narrow, heavily concentrated in seasonal or resource-dependent sectors
Travel to the mainland requires reliance on ferries or regional air services, increasing transit costs
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.
Wrangell
#384Alaska, USA
59.2 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,100
Avg Salary
$63,750
Cost Index
122
Commute
9 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
140/yr
Avg Temp
43.00°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
3.00%
Livability
78
Business
62
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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