Juneau vs Santa Fe
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Juneau
Santa Fe
The Verdict
Living in Santa Fe costs 8.5% less than Juneau. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Juneau, you would need $69,094 in Santa Fe.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Juneau has the same purchasing power as $69,094 in Santa Fe.
Conversely, $75,000 in Santa Fe equals $81,410 in Juneau.
Living in Juneau vs Santa Fe
Housing Costs
Juneau's housing index of 131 is lower Santa Fe's 153, translating to median home prices of $524,000 vs $480,000. The $44,000 difference in home prices means roughly $2,856 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,475/mo in Juneau compared to $1,600/mo in Santa Fe, a monthly difference of $125.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 123 in Juneau and 103 in Santa Fe. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $584/month in Juneau vs $489/month in Santa Fe. Santa Fe offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $1140/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 140 in Juneau and 96 in Santa Fe. Monthly utility bills average approximately $560 in Juneau vs $384 in Santa Fe. 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 95 in Santa Fe. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 56-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 $61,982 in Santa Fe. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $82,677 and $52,976 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 $1,446/month in Santa Fe. In Juneau, median rent of $1,475/mo fits within this budget. In Santa Fe, median rent of $1,600/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Healthcare, where the gap is 56 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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