City Comparison

Juneau vs Tempe

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Juneau

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

Tempe

Arizona
106
Above Average
$400,000
Median Home
$1,600/mo
Median Rent
$56,068
Median Income

The Verdict

19.8%

Living in Tempe costs 19.8% less than Juneau. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Juneau, you would need $62,598 in Tempe.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
131
Juneau
114
Tempe
Groceries
123
Juneau
100
Tempe
Utilities
140
Juneau
96
Tempe
Transportation
125
Juneau
103
Tempe
Healthcare
151
Juneau
95
Tempe

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Juneau has the same purchasing power as $62,598 in Tempe.

Conversely, $75,000 in Tempe equals $89,858 in Juneau.

Living in Juneau vs Tempe

Housing Costs

Juneau's housing index of 131 is higher Tempe's 114, translating to median home prices of $524,000 vs $400,000. The $124,000 difference in home prices means roughly $8,064 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 Tempe, a monthly difference of $125.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 123 in Juneau and 100 in Tempe. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $584/month in Juneau vs $475/month in Tempe. Tempe offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $1308/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 140 in Juneau and 96 in Tempe. Monthly utility bills average approximately $560 in Juneau vs $384 in Tempe. 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 Tempe. 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 $56,068 in Tempe. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $82,677 and $52,894 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 $1,308/month in Tempe. In Juneau, median rent of $1,475/mo fits within this budget. In Tempe, 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

Tempe is 19.8% more affordable overall with an index of 106 vs 127.
A $75,000 salary in Juneau has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $62,598 in Tempe, based on the cost of living difference.
Juneau's housing index is 131 with median homes at $524,000, while Tempe's is 114 with median homes at $400,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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