City Comparison

Juneau vs Montgomery

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Juneau

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

Montgomery

Alabama
79
Very Affordable
$162,000
Median Home
$1,000/mo
Median Rent
$56,800
Median Income

The Verdict

60.8%

Living in Montgomery costs 60.8% less than Juneau. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Juneau, you would need $46,654 in Montgomery.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
131
Juneau
49
Montgomery
Groceries
123
Juneau
99
Montgomery
Utilities
140
Juneau
115
Montgomery
Transportation
125
Juneau
92
Montgomery
Healthcare
151
Juneau
78
Montgomery

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Juneau has the same purchasing power as $46,654 in Montgomery.

Conversely, $75,000 in Montgomery equals $120,570 in Juneau.

Living in Juneau vs Montgomery

Housing Costs

Juneau's housing index of 131 is higher Montgomery's 49, translating to median home prices of $524,000 vs $162,000. The $362,000 difference in home prices means roughly $23,532 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,475/mo in Juneau compared to $1,000/mo in Montgomery, a monthly difference of $475.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 123 in Juneau and 99 in Montgomery. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $584/month in Juneau vs $470/month in Montgomery. Montgomery offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $1368/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 140 in Juneau and 115 in Montgomery. Monthly utility bills average approximately $560 in Juneau vs $460 in Montgomery. 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 151 in Juneau and 78 in Montgomery. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 73-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $105,000 in Juneau and $56,800 in Montgomery. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $82,677 and $71,899 respectively. Juneau residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $2,450/month to housing in Juneau vs $1,325/month in Montgomery. In Juneau, median rent of $1,475/mo fits within this budget. In Montgomery, median rent of $1,000/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 82 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Montgomery is 60.8% more affordable overall with an index of 79 vs 127.
A $75,000 salary in Juneau has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $46,654 in Montgomery, based on the cost of living difference.
Juneau's housing index is 131 with median homes at $524,000, while Montgomery's is 49 with median homes at $162,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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