Salary Needed to Live in Juneau as a Family
A family of four (2 adults, 2 children) needs approximately $160,490/year to live comfortably in Juneau, AK, including 15% savings.
Direct Answer
A family with kids needs about $160,490/year to live comfortably in Juneau, AK. The bare-minimum salary is $127,512/year, but the comfortable figure includes a 15% savings target and a monthly after-tax budget of $9,480.
The minimum scenario leaves about $7,757/mo after tax and no planned savings. The comfortable scenario uses $13,374/mo gross pay to cover expenses, taxes, and a savings buffer.
Hybrid salary estimateBLS, HUD, ACS inputsLast verified May 2026
Comfortable Salary
$160,490
with 15% savings
Bare Minimum
$127,512
$10,626/mo gross, no savings buffer
Monthly Expenses
$7,757
9% above national avg
Detailed Monthly Budget for a Family in Juneau
| Expense | Juneau | Nat'l Avg | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3BR Apartment/House Rent | $1,877 | $2,509 | -25% |
| Groceries | $728 | $528 | +38% |
| Utilities | $385 | $337 | +14% |
| Transportation | $695 | $526 | +32% |
| Car Insurance | $238 | $215 | +11% |
| Health Insurance | $687 | $642 | +7% |
| Childcare/After-school | $1,620 | $1,200 | +35% |
| Internet + Phones | $243 | $180 | +35% |
| Children Activities | $338 | $250 | +35% |
| Dining Out | $473 | $350 | +35% |
| School Supplies & Clothing | $270 | $200 | +35% |
| Healthcare Co-pays | $203 | $150 | +35% |
| Total Monthly | $7,757 | $7,087 | +9% |
How We Calculated the Salary
Monthly expenses:$7,757
Target savings (15%):$1,723/mo
Monthly after-tax needed:$9,480
Effective tax rate:27%
Gross annual salary needed:$160,490
What Drives the Salary Number?
Housing
$1,877
3BR Apartment/House rent is 24% of this monthly budget.
Taxes
27%
Estimated federal plus AK state tax reserve used to convert take-home needs into gross salary.
Savings target
15%
$1,723/mo is reserved for savings so the salary is not just break-even.
Local index
135/100
Juneau is close to the national baseline; the model adjusts baseline spending by local rent and cost data.
Compare Salary Needed in Nearby west Cities
Salary Planning Checklist
- Keep 3br apartment/house housing near $1,877/mo or adjust the salary target upward.
- Budget $3,147/mo for persona-specific costs such as Childcare/After-school and Internet + Phones.
- Use $127,512/year as the survival floor and $160,490/year as the healthier negotiation target.
Other Household Types in Juneau
Related Pages
FAQ
What salary does a family with kids need in Juneau?
A family with kids needs approximately $160,490/year ($13,374/month gross) to live comfortably in Juneau with a 15% savings rate.
How much is rent for a family with kids in Juneau?
A 3br apartment/house in Juneau costs approximately $1,877/month, which is the largest single expense at 24% of the total budget.
Is Juneau affordable for a family with kids?
Juneau is roughly average for family with kids costs, requiring a salary close to the national median.