Performance
Score Breakdown
Airdrie
Fairbanks
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Airdrie is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
43% lower compared to Fairbanks.
Housing costs are a major driver: Airdrie's average rent is
18% lower than Fairbanks's.
| Metric | Airdrie | Fairbanks | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,095 | $1,330 | -18% |
| Groceries | $365 | $858 | -57% |
| Utilities | $219 | $617 | -65% |
| Transport | $182 | $447 | -59% |
| Healthcare | $109 | $190 | -43% |
| Monthly Total | $1,970 | $3,442 | -43% |
| Cost Index | 123 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Fairbanks offers 7% lower average salaries.
The minimum comfortable salary in Airdrie is estimated at
$58,400 vs $53,196 in Fairbanks.
| Metric | Airdrie | Fairbanks |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $36,938 | $39,915 |
| Salary Needed | $58,400 | $53,196 |
| Household Income | $80,300 | $73,534 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Airdrie | Fairbanks |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 67.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Fairbanks has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,000 minutes (50 hours) per year compared to Airdrie.
Airdrie scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Airdrie leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Airdrie | Fairbanks |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 25 min | 19 min |
| Transit Score | 30.0/10 | 24.0/10 |
| Walkability | 45.0/10 | 32.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 50.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Airdrie is the larger city
— approximately 2.9x the population of Fairbanks.
From a growth perspective, Airdrie is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Fairbanks has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Airdrie | Fairbanks |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 92,544 | 32,083 |
| Pop. Growth | 4.34% | % |
| Median Age | 34.8 | 29.0 |
| Unemployment | 11.10% | 4.40% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Airdrie
Advantages
Airdrie has a high population growth rate of 4.34% year-over-year, indicating a dynamic and expanding community.
The median household income in Airdrie is $80,300 USD, which is higher than the national average.
The average commute time is relatively short at 25 minutes, contributing to a better work-life balance for many residents.
Airdrie offers a diverse job market with prominent opportunities in retail, healthcare, construction, and logistics.
The city has a young population with an average age of 34.8, fostering a vibrant and energetic community.
Drawbacks
The unemployment rate in Airdrie is 11.1%, which is higher than the national average.
Housing affordability is a challenge, with median home prices requiring an income significantly above the city's median household income.
Rental costs in Airdrie are notably high, often exceeding those in the larger Calgary metropolitan area.
The city has a high car dependency, with limited public transit options, potentially leading to higher transportation costs.
Airdrie lacks a major acute care hospital, requiring residents to travel to Calgary for specialized medical services.
Fairbanks
Advantages
Fairbanks offers abundant outdoor recreational activities, from hiking and fishing in summer to aurora viewing and winter sports.
The average commute time in Fairbanks is shorter than the national average, at 19.2 minutes.
Fairbanks Memorial Hospital is a high-performing facility with patient satisfaction rates above the national average.
Summers feature nearly 24 hours of daylight, providing unique opportunities for gardening and extended outdoor enjoyment.
The community is close-knit and family-friendly, with various local events and cultural heritage celebrations.
Drawbacks
Fairbanks has a high crime rate, significantly above the national average for both violent and property crimes.
The cost of living is 23% higher than the national average, primarily due to very high utility and grocery costs.
Winters are long, dark, and intensely cold, with temperatures regularly dipping well below freezing.
Public transportation options are limited, and the city has a low walkability score, making car dependency high.
Job opportunities outside of major sectors like military, healthcare, and education can be limited.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Airdrie
#4Alberta, Canada
72.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,095
Avg Salary
$36,938
Cost Index
Commute
25 min
Transit Score
30.0/10
Walkability
45.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
4.34%
Unemployment
11.10%
Livability
75
Business
70
Fairbanks
#42Alaska, USA
60.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,330
Avg Salary
$39,915
Cost Index
123
Commute
19 min
Transit Score
24.0/10
Walkability
32.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.40%
Livability
68
Business
65
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