Performance
Score Breakdown
Gaithersburg
Juneau
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Juneau is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
1% higher compared to Gaithersburg.
| Metric | Gaithersburg | Juneau | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,988 | $1,820 | +9% |
| Groceries | $757 | $690 | +10% |
| Utilities | $406 | $325 | +25% |
| Transport | $369 | $230 | +60% |
| Healthcare | $119 | $535 | -78% |
| Monthly Total | $3,639 | $3,600 | +1% |
| Cost Index | 134 | 127 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Juneau offers 25% 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 Gaithersburg is estimated at
$106,000 vs $81,000 in Juneau.
| Metric | Gaithersburg | Juneau |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $64,600 | $86,000 |
| Salary Needed | $106,000 | $81,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 48,209 idx | 67,717 idx |
| Household Income | $112,467 | $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 | Gaithersburg | 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 | 65.00% | 80.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Juneau has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
6,000 minutes (100 hours) per year compared to Gaithersburg.
Gaithersburg 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 | Gaithersburg | Juneau |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 30 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 60.0/10 | 44.1/10 |
| Walkability | 30.0/10 | 58.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 65.00 | 33.40 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Gaithersburg is the larger city
— approximately 2.2x the population of Juneau.
From a growth perspective, Gaithersburg is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Gaithersburg has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Gaithersburg | Juneau |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 69,825 | 32,000 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.43% | 0.40% |
| Median Age | 37.8 | 38.1 |
| Unemployment | 4.20% | 4.70% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $7.6B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Gaithersburg
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.
Gaithersburg
#31Maryland, USA
70.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,988
Avg Salary
$64,600
Cost Index
134
Commute
30 min
Transit Score
60.0/10
Walkability
30.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.43%
Unemployment
4.20%
Livability
78
Business
75
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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