Albany vs Juneau
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Albany
Juneau
The Verdict
Living in Albany costs 22.0% less than Juneau. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Albany, you would need $96,212 in Juneau.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Albany has the same purchasing power as $96,212 in Juneau.
Conversely, $75,000 in Juneau equals $58,465 in Albany.
Living in Albany vs Juneau
Housing Costs
Albany's housing index of 93 is lower Juneau's 131, translating to median home prices of $220,000 vs $524,000. The $304,000 difference in home prices means roughly $19,764 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,200/mo in Albany compared to $1,475/mo in Juneau, a monthly difference of $275.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 102 in Albany and 123 in Juneau. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $485/month in Albany vs $584/month in Juneau. Albany offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $1188/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 107 in Albany and 140 in Juneau. Monthly utility bills average approximately $428 in Albany vs $560 in Juneau. Climate differences between the two cities drive much of this gap, with heating and cooling costs varying substantially by region.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 100 in Albany and 151 in Juneau. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 51-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $43,098 in Albany and $105,000 in Juneau. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $43,533 and $82,677 respectively. Juneau residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,006/month to housing in Albany vs $2,450/month in Juneau. In Albany, median rent of $1,200/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. In Juneau, median rent of $1,475/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Healthcare, where the gap is 51 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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