Performance
Score Breakdown
Des Moines
Juneau
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Des Moines is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
22% lower compared to Juneau.
Housing costs are a major driver: Des Moines's average rent is
59% lower than Juneau's.
| Metric | Des Moines | Juneau | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $744 | $1,820 | -59% |
| Groceries | $600 | $690 | -13% |
| Utilities | $150 | $325 | -54% |
| Transport | $800 | $230 | +248% |
| Healthcare | $500 | $535 | -7% |
| Monthly Total | $2,794 | $3,600 | -22% |
| Cost Index | 92 | 127 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Juneau offers 37% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Juneau delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Des Moines is estimated at
$45,000 vs $81,000 in Juneau.
| Metric | Des Moines | Juneau |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $54,311 | $86,000 |
| Salary Needed | $45,000 | $81,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 59,034 idx | 67,717 idx |
| Household Income | $63,212 | $88,100 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Juneau runs warmer on average — a 42.1°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Juneau comes out ahead with 90 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Juneau sees 87 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Des Moines | Juneau |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | 42.10°F |
| Summer High | °F | 64.00°F |
| Winter Low | °F | 22.00°F |
| Rainfall | in | 62.00 in |
| Snowfall | in | 87.00 in |
| Sunny Days | 90 | |
| Humidity | 64.00% | 80.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other.
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 | Des Moines | Juneau |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 20 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 30.0/10 | 44.1/10 |
| Walkability | 50.0/10 | 58.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 134.40 | 33.40 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Des Moines is the larger city
— approximately 6.7x the population of Juneau.
From a growth perspective, Des Moines is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Des Moines has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Des Moines | Juneau |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 214,237 | 32,000 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.20% | 0.40% |
| Median Age | 34.4 | 38.1 |
| Unemployment | 4.20% | 4.70% |
| GDP | $34.1B | $7.6B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Des Moines
Juneau
Advantages
Scenic and unique lifestyle
Drawbacks
Remote and expensive
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Des Moines
#14Iowa, USA
75.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$744
Avg Salary
$54,311
Cost Index
92
Commute
20 min
Transit Score
30.0/10
Walkability
50.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.20%
Unemployment
4.20%
Livability
85
Business
80
Juneau
#5Alaska, USA
82.5 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,820
Avg Salary
$86,000
Cost Index
127
Commute
18 min
Transit Score
44.1/10
Walkability
58.0/10
Sunny Days
90/yr
Avg Temp
42.10°F
Pop. Growth
0.40%
Unemployment
4.70%
Livability
85
Business
80
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