City Comparison

Arlington vs Juneau

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Arlington

Virginia
164
Very Expensive
$740,000
Median Home
$2,350/mo
Median Rent
$145,000
Median Income

Juneau

Alaska
127
Expensive
$524,000
Median Home
$1,475/mo
Median Rent
$105,000
Median Income

The Verdict

29.1%

The cost gap between these cities is 29.1%, with Juneau being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Arlington has equivalent purchasing power to $58,079 in Juneau.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable

Housing
249
Arlington
131
Juneau
Groceries
106
Arlington
123
Juneau
Utilities
102
Arlington
140
Juneau
Transportation
107
Arlington
125
Juneau
Healthcare
117
Arlington
151
Juneau

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Arlington has the same purchasing power as $58,079 in Juneau.

Conversely, $75,000 in Juneau equals $96,850 in Arlington.

Living in Arlington vs Juneau

Housing Costs

Arlington's housing index of 249 is higher Juneau's 131, translating to median home prices of $740,000 vs $524,000. The $216,000 difference in home prices means roughly $14,040 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $2,350/mo in Arlington compared to $1,475/mo in Juneau, a monthly difference of $875.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 106 in Arlington and 123 in Juneau. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $504/month in Arlington vs $584/month in Juneau. Arlington offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $960/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 102 in Arlington and 140 in Juneau. Monthly utility bills average approximately $408 in Arlington 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 117 in Arlington and 151 in Juneau. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 34-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $145,000 in Arlington and $105,000 in Juneau. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $88,415 and $82,677 respectively. Arlington residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $3,383/month to housing in Arlington vs $2,450/month in Juneau. In Arlington, median rent of $2,350/mo fits within this budget. In Juneau, median rent of $1,475/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 118 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Juneau is 29.1% more affordable overall with an index of 127 vs 164.
A $75,000 salary in Arlington has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $58,079 in Juneau, based on the cost of living difference.
Arlington's housing index is 249 with median homes at $740,000, while Juneau's is 131 with median homes at $524,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

Moving PlannersFinance BooksBudget Planners

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases