The $100,000 Salary Analysis for Juneau city and, AK

This analysis treats a $100,000 salary as a raw number. It ignores employer marketing regarding "competitive pay." It focuses on what hits your bank account and what that money can actually buy in Juneau.

1. The Verification Test

Before calculating a budget, we must strip the salary down to its Net Pay. A nominal salary is irrelevant; disposable income is the only metric that matters.

• Gross Salary: $100,000
• Federal Tax (2024 Single Filer Standard): ~$14,000
• FICA (Social Security/Medicare): ~$7,650
• State Income Tax: $0 (Alaska has no personal income tax)
• Estimated Net Pay (Annual): $78,350
• Estimated Net Pay (Monthly): $6,529

2. Smart Budget (50/30/20)

Using the "Needs/Wants/Savings" rule based on the Net Pay of $6,529 per month.

Needs (50% - $3,265)

This category covers survival in Juneau.

• Rent (1BR Average): $1,307
• Utilities (Electric/Heating/Water): ~$350 (Alaska energy costs are volatile)
• Groceries: ~$600 (Imported goods are expensive)
• Transportation (Gas/Insurance): ~$400
• Remaining Buffer: $608

Wants (30% - $1,959)

Discretionary spending. This is where you feel the cost of living.

• Dining out, entertainment, subscriptions, alcohol.
• Note: In Juneau, alcohol and imported goods carry a premium. This budget portion depletes faster than in the Lower 48.

Savings (20% - $1,306)

• Emergency fund, investments, retirement.
• This is the only way to build wealth. If you spend the full $1,959 on wants, your savings drop to $1,306.

3. Juneau city and Tax Context

Alaska operates on a resource-based economy model, not an income-tax model.

• Vs. High-Tax (California/New York): In CA/NY, a $100k salary would lose $25k–$30k to taxes, leaving you with roughly $65k–$70k net. You are effectively $8k–$13k richer here than in NYC.
• Vs. Low-Tax (Texas/Florida): In TX/FL, a $100k salary loses roughly $14k–$15k to Federal/FICA (same as AK). You are roughly $0 ahead on taxes compared to TX/FL.
• The Catch: While AK has zero income tax, the cost of goods (The "Alaska Premium") often negates the tax savings compared to states like Texas.

4. FAQ

"Is $100k good here?"
It is a "comfortable" salary. You will not struggle to pay rent, and you will eat well. However, you are not "wealthy." Purchasing power is eroded by high costs for utilities, internet, and flights off the island. You are solidly middle-class.

"Local income tax?"
0%. Juneau city and does not levy a local income tax. Alaska is one of the few states with zero state income tax.