Performance
Score Breakdown
Juneau
Sitka
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Sitka is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
1756% higher compared to Juneau.
| Metric | Juneau | Sitka | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,820 | $0 | 0% |
| Groceries | $690 | $0 | 0% |
| Utilities | $325 | $194 | +68% |
| Transport | $230 | $0 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $535 | $0 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $3,600 | $194 | +1756% |
| Cost Index | 127 | 117 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Juneau offers similar average salaries.
| Metric | Juneau | Sitka |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $86,000 | $0 |
| Salary Needed | $81,000 | $0 |
| Household Income | $88,100 | $101,727 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 1.8°F of each other.
For sunshine, Sitka comes out ahead with 21 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Sitka sees 111.7 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Juneau | Sitka |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 42.10°F | 43.90°F |
| Summer High | 64.00°F | 60.80°F |
| Winter Low | 22.00°F | 28.20°F |
| Rainfall | 62.00 in | 138.90 in |
| Snowfall | 87.00 in | 198.70 in |
| Sunny Days | 90 | 111 |
| Humidity | 80.00% | % |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Sitka has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,500 minutes (42 hours) per year compared to Juneau.
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 | Juneau | Sitka |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 18 min | 13 min |
| Transit Score | 44.1/10 | 0.0/10 |
| Walkability | 58.0/10 | 0.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 33.40 | |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Juneau is the larger city
— approximately 3.8x the population of Sitka.
From a growth perspective, Juneau is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Sitka has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Juneau | Sitka |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 32,000 | 8,368 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.40% | % |
| Median Age | 38.1 | 39.7 |
| Unemployment | 4.70% | 3.10% |
| GDP | $7.6B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Juneau
Advantages
Scenic and unique lifestyle
Drawbacks
Remote and expensive
Sitka
Advantages
Sitka has a livability score of 85/100, ranking it in the 98th percentile of all cities.
The average one-way commute time in Sitka is 13 minutes, significantly shorter than the national average.
Sitka's crime rate is far below the national average, making it a very safe place to live.
The median household income in Sitka was $101,727 in 2024, exceeding the national average.
The healthcare sector in Sitka experienced an 8% growth in jobs and an 18% rise in wages from 2022 to 2024.
Drawbacks
The cost of living in Sitka is 17% higher than the national average.
Housing shortages and pricing are significant concerns for residents and employers.
The seafood industry, a key economic sector, saw a decline in earnings and jobs from 2023 to 2024.
Sitka's population is on a steady downward trajectory, with a loss of 10.5% from 2014 to 2024.
The average residential electricity bill in Sitka is higher than the national average.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
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
Sitka
#3Alaska, USA
85.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$0
Avg Salary
$0
Cost Index
117
Commute
13 min
Transit Score
0.0/10
Walkability
0.0/10
Sunny Days
111/yr
Avg Temp
43.90°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
3.10%
Livability
85
Business
85
Calculate Your Cost Impact
Estimate the salary you'd need when moving between Juneau and Sitka.
Open Cost Calculator