City Comparison

Champaign vs Juneau

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Champaign

Illinois
81
Very Affordable
$215,000
Median Home
$1,100/mo
Median Rent
$56,100
Median Income

Juneau

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

The Verdict

36.2%

Living in Champaign costs 36.2% less than Juneau. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Champaign, you would need $117,593 in Juneau.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
83
Champaign
131
Juneau
Groceries
98
Champaign
123
Juneau
Utilities
106
Champaign
140
Juneau
Transportation
99
Champaign
125
Juneau
Healthcare
90
Champaign
151
Juneau

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Champaign has the same purchasing power as $117,593 in Juneau.

Conversely, $75,000 in Juneau equals $47,835 in Champaign.

Living in Champaign vs Juneau

Housing Costs

Champaign's housing index of 83 is lower Juneau's 131, translating to median home prices of $215,000 vs $524,000. The $309,000 difference in home prices means roughly $20,088 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,100/mo in Champaign compared to $1,475/mo in Juneau, a monthly difference of $375.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 98 in Champaign and 123 in Juneau. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $466/month in Champaign vs $584/month in Juneau. Champaign offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $1416/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 106 in Champaign and 140 in Juneau. Monthly utility bills average approximately $424 in Champaign 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 90 in Champaign and 151 in Juneau. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 61-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $56,100 in Champaign and $105,000 in Juneau. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $69,259 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 $1,309/month to housing in Champaign vs $2,450/month in Juneau. In Champaign, median rent of $1,100/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 Healthcare, where the gap is 61 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Champaign is 36.2% more affordable overall with an index of 81 vs 127.
A $75,000 salary in Champaign has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $117,593 in Juneau, based on the cost of living difference.
Champaign's housing index is 83 with median homes at $215,000, while Juneau's is 131 with median homes at $524,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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