City Comparison

Juneau vs St. Paul

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Juneau

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

St. Paul

Minnesota
100
Average
$260,000
Median Home
$1,300/mo
Median Rent
$57,718
Median Income

The Verdict

27.0%

The cost gap between these cities is 27.0%, with St. Paul being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Juneau has equivalent purchasing power to $59,055 in St. Paul.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
131
Juneau
98
St. Paul
Groceries
123
Juneau
103
St. Paul
Utilities
140
Juneau
97
St. Paul
Transportation
125
Juneau
108
St. Paul
Healthcare
151
Juneau
105
St. Paul

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Juneau has the same purchasing power as $59,055 in St. Paul.

Conversely, $75,000 in St. Paul equals $95,250 in Juneau.

Living in Juneau vs St. Paul

Housing Costs

Juneau's housing index of 131 is higher St. Paul's 98, translating to median home prices of $524,000 vs $260,000. The $264,000 difference in home prices means roughly $17,160 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,475/mo in Juneau compared to $1,300/mo in St. Paul, a monthly difference of $175.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 123 in Juneau and 103 in St. Paul. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $584/month in Juneau vs $489/month in St. Paul. St. Paul 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 97 in St. Paul. Monthly utility bills average approximately $560 in Juneau vs $388 in St. Paul. 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 105 in St. Paul. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 46-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 $57,718 in St. Paul. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $82,677 and $57,718 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 $1,347/month in St. Paul. In Juneau, median rent of $1,475/mo fits within this budget. In St. Paul, median rent of $1,300/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Healthcare, where the gap is 46 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

St. Paul is 27.0% more affordable overall with an index of 100 vs 127.
A $75,000 salary in Juneau has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $59,055 in St. Paul, based on the cost of living difference.
Juneau's housing index is 131 with median homes at $524,000, while St. Paul's is 98 with median homes at $260,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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