Is it cheaper to live in Juneau or Providence?

Providence, RI is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,330 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 13% below Juneau, AK's $1,530, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $50,000 a year in Juneau versus $41,000 in Providence.

Which has lower taxes, Juneau or Providence?

Juneau is taxed under Alaska's rules (no state income tax and no state sales tax); Providence under Rhode Island's (a top state income tax rate of 5.99% and a 7% state sales tax).

Juneau vs Providence Cost of Living 2026

Juneau

Alaska

$1,530/mo est.

Providence

Rhode Island

$1,330/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,530 in Juneau, AK versus $1,330 in Providence, RI. Overall, Providence, RI is roughly 13% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Juneau, AK, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $100,513 in Juneau, AK and $66,772 in Providence, RI — about 34% higher in Juneau, AK. Alaska has no state income tax and no state sales tax; Rhode Island has a top state income tax rate of 5.99% and a 7% state sales tax.

Juneau, AK

Providence, RI

Rent

Studio

$993

$1,116

+12% in Providence, RI

1 Bedroom

$1,257

$1,030

+18% in Juneau, AK

2 Bedroom

$1,647

$1,323

+20% in Juneau, AK

3 Bedroom

$1,949

$1,627

+17% in Juneau, AK

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$432,500

$322,800

+25% in Juneau, AK

Income

Median Household Income

$100,513

$66,772

+34% in Juneau, AK

Metro Median Wage (annual)

—

$53,680

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

39.8 yr

32.9 yr

+6.9 yr in Juneau, AK

Homeownership

64.4%

41.2%

+23.2 pp in Juneau, AK

Bachelor's+ (25+)

40.5%

34.7%

+5.8 pp in Juneau, AK

Avg Commute

15.8 min

25.0 min

+9.2 min in Providence, RI

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

515.6

282.4

+45% in Juneau, AK

Property Crime

2,113.1

1,665.6

+21% in Juneau, AK

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

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

42.1°F

51.6°F

+9.5°F in Providence, RI

Annual Precipitation

62.3 in

47.2 in

+15.1 in in Juneau, AK

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$5.21/gal

$3.94/gal

+24% in Juneau, AK

Area: West Coast (PADD 5) vs East Coast (PADD 1).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

28.2

29.2

+4% in Providence, RI

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$17.35

$25.75

+48% in Providence, RI

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.82

$4.31

+10% in Juneau, AK

Bread (lb)

$2.04

$1.92

+6% in Juneau, AK

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

about equal

Ground Beef (lb)

$7.36

$6.90

+6% in Juneau, AK

Chicken (lb)

$2.01

$2.19

+9% in Providence, RI

Bananas (lb)

$0.70

$0.69

about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (AK / RI)

None

+7.0 pp in RI

Income Tax (top rate)

None

5.99%

+6.0 pp in RI

Juneau vs Providence — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Juneau or Providence?: Providence, RI is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,330 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 13% below Juneau, AK's $1,530, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Juneau than in Providence?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $50,000 a year in Juneau versus $41,000 in Providence.
Which has lower taxes, Juneau or Providence?: Juneau is taxed under Alaska's rules (no state income tax and no state sales tax); Providence under Rhode Island's (a top state income tax rate of 5.99% and a 7% 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).