countyscore
49.4
County Score
Income & Jobs 95Disaster Risk 88.5Health 72.8

County Report Card

About Juneau City and Borough, Alaska

Juneau slightly below national par

Juneau City and Borough scores 49.5, just below the national median of 50.0, placing it near the 50th percentile nationwide. Despite extraordinary incomes, housing costs and other factors keep overall livability competitive but not exceptional.

Middle of Alaska's pack

Juneau scores 49.5 compared to the state average of 51.1, ranking it in the middle tier of Alaska counties. Alaska's capital city underperforms relative to a few other boroughs despite its prominent position.

Highest incomes in Alaska

Juneau residents earn a median household income of $100,513 with an exceptional income score of 95.4, the highest in this analysis. Health services are also strong (72.8), and the borough benefits from strong disaster preparedness (88.5 risk score).

Housing costs and affordability crisis

Housing is severely unaffordable with a median home value of $432,500 and monthly rent at $1,462, yielding a cost score of just 6.2. Safety data is not yet available, but the housing burden alone significantly constrains livability despite high incomes.

For Alaska's highest-earning households only

Juneau works best for well-compensated government employees and professionals whose six-figure incomes can absorb the nation's most expensive housing. This is Alaska's capital for the affluent, offering political engagement and good health services to those who can afford the premium.

2040608010039.98.172.861.79588.56252.3Tax39.9Cost8.1SafetyHealth72.8Schools61.7Income95Risk88.5Water62Weather52.349.4/100
This county
National avg
3 above average2 below average

Juneau City and Borough DNA

Foverall

How Juneau City and Borough compares to the national average across nine baseline dimensions

Juneau City and Borough is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Income (95/100) but notably weak in Cost of Living (8.1/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
39.9-12.100000000000001
Cost
8.1-39.9
Health
72.8+22.799999999999997
Schools
61.7
Income
95+44
Risk
88.5+41.5
Water
62
Weather
52.3
Sponsored

Compare mortgage rates in Juneau City and Borough

Whether buying or refinancing in Juneau City and Borough, compare rates from top lenders to find the best deal.

See Today's Rates

Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$449,300

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$1,444/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$449,300/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$57,760/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum4.4x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $101,661/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

21.9

per 100K

Data from Federal Reserve (FRED), U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, and CMS NPPES.

Deep Dives

Juneau City and Borough across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 7 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Juneau City and Borough

via TaxByCounty

Juneau's tax rate moderately exceeds the nation

At 0.934%, Juneau City and Borough's effective property tax rate runs about 6% above the national median of 0.88%, landing it in the 51st percentile nationally. This rate places Juneau slightly above average compared to most American counties. Residents here pay a bit more than typical, but hardly exceptional by U.S. standards.

Juneau ranks third in Alaska's tax rate standings

Juneau's 0.934% effective rate positions it third statewide, behind only Fairbanks (1.264%) and Dillingham (1.755%), yet above Alaska's 0.772% average. As the state capital, Juneau's higher rate reflects elevated service demands and infrastructure investment. The borough's tax standing reflects its outsized economic and administrative role.

Juneau leads Southeast Alaska in property tax burden

Juneau's 0.934% rate outpaces Haines (0.802%), Ketchikan (0.683%), and dramatically exceeds Hoonah-Angoon (0.416%). Only Kodiak Island (0.917%) comes close regionally. Juneau's capital-city status translates into the highest tax obligations among Southeast Alaska communities.

The median Juneau home costs $4,039 yearly

With a median home value of $432,500—the highest in this group—and a 0.934% effective rate, a typical homeowner pays $4,039 annually in property taxes. Include mortgage-related taxes and the bill rises to $4,135. Even without mortgage considerations, the $3,829 obligation reflects Juneau's elevated tax commitment.

High-value Juneau homes merit assessment review

Given Juneau's steep home values and substantial tax bills, even small assessment errors translate into meaningful annual overpayments. Review your assessment notice carefully and compare your home's valuation against recent comparable sales. A successful appeal could yield hundreds in annual savings.

Income & Jobs in Juneau City and Borough

via IncomeByCounty

Juneau dominates national income rankings

Juneau's median household income of $100,513 exceeds the U.S. median by $25,758, ranking it among America's top-earning regions. This 34.5% advantage reflects Alaska's capital city status and its concentration of government, tourism, and fishing industries.

Alaska's highest-earning region by far

Juneau's $100,513 median income outpaces every other Alaska region, commanding 26.7% more than the state average of $79,407. Its per capita income of $51,146 also leads Alaska at $42,832, demonstrating exceptional earning power across the entire population.

Economic powerhouse in Southeast Alaska

Juneau's $100,513 income dwarfs regional peers: Ketchikan Gateway Borough ($89,155), Kodiak Island Borough ($83,716), and Haines Borough ($72,607) all trail significantly. As Alaska's capital, Juneau's government employment base and tourism economy create a wealth advantage no peer can match.

High incomes offset steep housing costs

Juneau's rent-to-income ratio of 17.4% remains affordable despite median home values reaching $432,500, the highest in Alaska. Strong incomes allow most households to manage these premium prices, though first-time homebuyers and renters on regional median income may feel the squeeze.

Invest aggressively with premium earnings

Juneau's top-tier incomes position households to build wealth faster than nearly anywhere else in America—maximize this advantage through diversified investments and tax-advantaged retirement accounts. Work with a wealth advisor to develop a comprehensive strategy that captures the full potential of your above-average earning power.

Weather & Climate in Juneau City and Borough

via WeatherByCounty

A Cool, Wet Maritime Capital

Juneau's 41.9°F average temperature sits roughly 12 degrees below the national median. As a temperate rainforest, it receives a staggering 92.5 inches of annual precipitation.

Milder and Wetter than Average Alaska

Juneau is much warmer than the 35.9°F state average but far wetter than the 54.8-inch state precipitation mean. Its coastal position keeps January averages at a relatively manageable 27.8°F.

Consistent with its Southeast Neighbors

Juneau shares a 41.9°F average temperature with Hoonah-Angoon, though it is slightly drier. It is significantly warmer and wetter than the interior Fairbanks North Star Borough.

Cool Summers and Snowy Winters

Summer temperatures average just 55.5°F, with zero days reaching 90°F. The city sees 81.9 inches of annual snowfall, adding to the high total precipitation that falls year-round.

Prepare for Dampness and Slush

Residents need high-quality rain shells and boots for the 92.5 inches of annual rain. Winter driving requires tires suited for heavy slush rather than just dry ice, given the 29.2°F winter average.

Lawn Care in Juneau City and Borough

via LawnByCounty

Coastal Gardening in Alaska's Capital

Juneau's lawn difficulty score of 53.8 indicates a climate that is more favorable for grass than the national average. While the score is slightly below the Alaska state average, Juneau benefits from more temperate winters than the interior.

High Precipitation and Cool Summers

Juneau sees a massive 92.5 inches of annual rain, which is double the upper limit of the ideal 30-50 inch range. The growing season is lengthy for the state, beginning May 3 and stretching until the first frost on October 18.

Addressing Drainage in Juneau Soils

With no borough-wide soil data available, homeowners must test their own plots for drainage efficiency. Because of the 92.5 inches of rain, maintaining a neutral pH and adding organic matter is crucial for preventing moss competition.

Consistent Moisture All Year Long

The capital has seen zero weeks of drought over the past year and currently reports no abnormally dry conditions. Natural rainfall is more than sufficient for lawn needs, typically making manual irrigation unnecessary for established turf.

Seeding for the Long Coastal Season

The 625 growing degree days support a healthy lawn if you use cool-season mixes like Kentucky Bluegrass. Aim to seed in early May to take full advantage of the long growing window that lasts until mid-October.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Juneau City and Borough's county score?
Juneau City and Borough, Alaska has a composite county score of 49.4 out of 100 on CountyScore. This score is calculated from a weighted average of available data dimensions including property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools.
How does Juneau City and Borough rank among counties in Alaska?
Juneau City and Borough ranks #18 among all counties in Alaska on CountyScore's composite ranking. Rankings are based on available data dimensions and updated as new data is added.
What are property taxes like in Juneau City and Borough, Alaska?
The median annual property tax in Juneau City and Borough is $4,251, with an effective tax rate of 0.95%. This earns Juneau City and Borough a tax score of 39.9/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Juneau City and Borough?
The median household income in Juneau City and Borough, Alaska is $101,661 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Juneau City and Borough earns an income score of 95/100 on CountyScore.
Is Juneau City and Borough, Alaska a good place to live?
Juneau City and Borough scores 49.4/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #18 in Alaska. The best way to evaluate Juneau City and Borough is to compare individual dimension scores — property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools — based on your personal priorities. Use CountyScore to compare Juneau City and Borough with other counties side by side.
By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

ByCounty Network

Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS, NOAA — informational only.