City Comparison

Juneau vs Wilmington

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Juneau

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

Wilmington

North Carolina
103
Average
$320,000
Median Home
$1,400/mo
Median Rent
$48,432
Median Income

The Verdict

23.3%

Living in Wilmington costs 23.3% less than Juneau. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Juneau, you would need $60,827 in Wilmington.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
131
Juneau
108
Wilmington
Groceries
123
Juneau
101
Wilmington
Utilities
140
Juneau
94
Wilmington
Transportation
125
Juneau
99
Wilmington
Healthcare
151
Juneau
106
Wilmington

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Juneau has the same purchasing power as $60,827 in Wilmington.

Conversely, $75,000 in Wilmington equals $92,476 in Juneau.

Living in Juneau vs Wilmington

Housing Costs

Juneau's housing index of 131 is higher Wilmington's 108, translating to median home prices of $524,000 vs $320,000. The $204,000 difference in home prices means roughly $13,260 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,475/mo in Juneau compared to $1,400/mo in Wilmington, a monthly difference of $75.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 123 in Juneau and 101 in Wilmington. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $584/month in Juneau vs $480/month in Wilmington. Wilmington offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $1248/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 140 in Juneau and 94 in Wilmington. Monthly utility bills average approximately $560 in Juneau vs $376 in Wilmington. 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 106 in Wilmington. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 45-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 $48,432 in Wilmington. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $82,677 and $47,021 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 $1,130/month in Wilmington. In Juneau, median rent of $1,475/mo fits within this budget. In Wilmington, median rent of $1,400/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Utilities, where the gap is 46 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Wilmington is 23.3% more affordable overall with an index of 103 vs 127.
A $75,000 salary in Juneau has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $60,827 in Wilmington, based on the cost of living difference.
Juneau's housing index is 131 with median homes at $524,000, while Wilmington's is 108 with median homes at $320,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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