Is it cheaper to live in Indianapolis or Juneau?

Indianapolis, IN is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,160 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 24% below Juneau, AK's $1,530, mainly because of rent.

How much more do you need to earn to live in Indianapolis than in Juneau?

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $39,000 a year in Indianapolis versus $50,000 in Juneau.

Which has lower taxes, Indianapolis or Juneau?

Indianapolis is taxed under Indiana's rules (a top state income tax rate of 2.95% and a 7% state sales tax); Juneau under Alaska's (no state income tax and no state sales tax).

Indianapolis vs Juneau Cost of Living 2026

Indianapolis

Indiana

$1,160/mo est.

Juneau

Alaska

$1,530/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,160 in Indianapolis, IN versus $1,530 in Juneau, AK. Overall, Indianapolis, IN is roughly 24% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Juneau, AK, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $62,995 in Indianapolis, IN and $100,513 in Juneau, AK — about 37% higher in Juneau, AK. Indiana has a top state income tax rate of 2.95% and a 7% state sales tax; Alaska has no state income tax and no state sales tax.

Indianapolis, IN

Juneau, AK

Rent

Studio

$933

$993

+6% in Juneau, AK

1 Bedroom

$963

$1,257

+31% in Juneau, AK

2 Bedroom

$1,132

$1,647

+45% in Juneau, AK

3 Bedroom

$1,304

$1,949

+49% in Juneau, AK

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$207,000

$432,500

+109% in Juneau, AK

Income

Median Household Income

$62,995

$100,513

+60% in Juneau, AK

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$49,340

—

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

34.1 yr

39.8 yr

+5.7 yr in Juneau, AK

Homeownership

55.3%

64.4%

+9.1 pp in Juneau, AK

Bachelor's+ (25+)

34.2%

40.5%

+6.3 pp in Juneau, AK

Avg Commute

24.3 min

15.8 min

+8.5 min in Indianapolis, IN

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

936.6

515.6

+45% in Indianapolis, IN

Property Crime

3,351.7

2,113.1

+37% in Indianapolis, IN

FBI Crime Data Explorer. Offenses per 100,000 residents per year; agency reporting practices vary, so this is approximate.

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

53.2°F

42.1°F

+11.1°F in Indianapolis, IN

Annual Precipitation

42.4 in

62.3 in

+19.8 in in Juneau, AK

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.85/gal

$5.21/gal

+35% in Juneau, AK

Area: Midwest (PADD 2) vs West Coast (PADD 5).

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

$1.75

—

Adult base one-way fare — IndyGo vs — (2026).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

17.5

28.2

+61% in Juneau, AK

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$24.52

$17.35

+29% in Indianapolis, IN

Residential, state-level averages (EIA). MCF = 1,000 cubic feet.

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

$4.82

+12% in Juneau, AK

Bread (lb)

$1.66

$2.04

+23% in Juneau, AK

Eggs (doz)

$3.63

$2.19

+40% in Indianapolis, IN

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.77

$7.36

+9% in Juneau, AK

Chicken (lb)

$2.10

$2.01

+4% in Indianapolis, IN

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.70

+14% in Juneau, AK

Average prices — Midwest vs West (BLS). Regional where available, otherwise U.S. average.

State Taxes

Sales Tax (IN / AK)

None

+7.0 pp in IN

Income Tax (top rate)

2.95%

None

+3.0 pp in IN

Indianapolis vs Juneau — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Indianapolis or Juneau?: Indianapolis, IN is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,160 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 24% below Juneau, AK's $1,530, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Indianapolis than in Juneau?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $39,000 a year in Indianapolis versus $50,000 in Juneau.
Which has lower taxes, Indianapolis or Juneau?: Indianapolis is taxed under Indiana's rules (a top state income tax rate of 2.95% and a 7% state sales tax); Juneau under Alaska's (no state income tax and no state sales tax).

Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year (rent, income, home value, demographics); NOAA Climate Normals 1981–2010 (climate); EIA weekly retail (gas); Tax Foundation 2026 (state taxes).