What it's like to live in Juneau
Juneau is a small city in Alaska with unemployment below the national average, household incomes running above the national average, commutes that run shorter than most cities, and a highly educated workforce. Those factors carry real weight for anyone weighing where to move next.
The tradeoffs are worth naming plainly. Juneau deals with home prices well above the national average, crime rates above the national average, cold winters, and heavy snowfall.
The good
- Low unemployment
- Higher-than-average incomes
- Short commutes
- Highly educated workforce
- Average class sizes
The not so good
- High home prices
- Crime above national average
- Cold winters
- Heavy snowfall — 88" per year
- Very rainy — 90" of rain per year
- Smaller place — fewer dining and entertainment options
How Juneau compares
Median household income
Median rent (per month)
Median home value
What it takes to move to Juneau
Based on Juneau's median rent, home value and household income
To rent
$2,888
up front: first month plus a typical one-month deposit
- Income to keep rent under 30%: $57,760 a year
- 34% of Juneau renters spend 30% or more of their income on rent
To buy
$89,860
a 20% down payment on the median home
- With 10% down: $44,930
- Homes cost 4.4× the typical local household income (US: 4.1×)
Moving costs, closing costs and taxes not included.
The details
Cost of livingNear US average
$1,444/mo median rent
Rent is pretty middle of the road, at $1,444 a month median. Not a bargain, not a budget-buster. About typical for a city this size. Home prices run above average, with a median around $449,300. Buyers should expect to stretch their budget here.
Median home value $449,300 · 34% of renters cost-burdened
Job market▼ 21% below US
3.4% unemployment
Unemployment here is 3.4%, a little below the national average of 4.3%.
City-level (BLS)
Safety▲ 48% above US
487 violent crimes per 100k
Crime is worth weighing seriously here. Rates run above the national average, and while plenty of residents live comfortably, neighborhood selection matters a lot more than it does in a safer city.
Property crime 1919/100k · Juneau Police Department · 2025 data
Getting around▼ 42% below US
15 min average commute
Commutes run short here, averaging 15.1 minutes. That's an underrated perk of living in a smaller or well-planned city, where time isn't lost sitting in traffic. 8 in 10 workers drive to work; 13% work from home.
How workers get to work
Climate
Summers are comfortable, with highs around 63°F, and winters are cold, with lows around 28°F and snow a regular occurrence. It's a wet climate overall.
Average month
30-year averages, 1991–2020
Healthcare
1 hospital
There's one Medicare-certified hospital inside city limits, rated 4.0 out of 5 by Medicare. Hospitals in neighboring towns aren't counted here.
Medicare-certified hospitals
Education & workforce▲ 14% above US
41% bachelor's degree or higher
The population is well-educated, with 41% holding college degrees. That points to a strong professional base and generally a healthy local economy.
Schools
15 public schools inside the boundary
There are 15 public schools inside the boundary and 2 private schools. The student-to-teacher ratio is 17:1, close to the national average of 16:1.
Parks & recreation
The nearest national park or historic site is Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park (89 miles away). There are 2 national parks and sites within a day's drive.
Bottom line
Juneau's strongest points are unemployment below the national average and household incomes running above the national average; the main tradeoffs are home prices well above the national average and crime rates above the national average. A year of median rent ($1,444/mo) equals 17% of the median household income here, less than the 21% typical nationwide. It tends to suit job seekers, people who want short commutes, and college-educated professionals.
Other places near Juneau
All Alaska guides →Moving to Anchorage →
572 mi away · pop. 288,976
Rent $1,489/mo · Income $103,284
Compare with Juneau →Moving to North Lakes →
587 mi away · pop. 10,223
Rent $1,441/mo · Income $101,679
Compare with Juneau →Not sure Juneau is the one?
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