Performance
Score Breakdown
Dallas
Fairbanks
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Fairbanks is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
5% higher compared to Dallas.
Housing costs are a major driver: Dallas's average rent is
43% higher than Fairbanks's.
| Metric | Dallas | Fairbanks | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,907 | $1,330 | +43% |
| Groceries | $450 | $858 | -48% |
| Utilities | $224 | $617 | -64% |
| Transport | $780 | $447 | +74% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $190 | +32% |
| Monthly Total | $3,611 | $3,442 | +5% |
| Cost Index | 103 | 123 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Dallas offers 66% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Dallas delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Dallas is estimated at
$73,000 vs $53,196 in Fairbanks.
| Metric | Dallas | Fairbanks |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $66,419 | $39,915 |
| Salary Needed | $73,000 | $53,196 |
| Purchasing Power | 64,484 idx | 32,451 idx |
| Household Income | $70,518 | $73,534 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Dallas | Fairbanks |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 70.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Fairbanks has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
5,500 minutes (92 hours) per year compared to Dallas.
Dallas scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Dallas leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Dallas | Fairbanks |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 30 min | 19 min |
| Transit Score | 45.0/10 | 24.0/10 |
| Walkability | 46.0/10 | 32.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 69.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Dallas is the larger city
— approximately 41.7x the population of Fairbanks.
From a growth perspective, Dallas is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Dallas has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Dallas | Fairbanks |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,336,440 | 32,083 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.52% | % |
| Median Age | 33.4 | 29.0 |
| Unemployment | 3.90% | 4.40% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Dallas
Advantages
Violent crime rates, including murders, have seen significant year-over-year decreases in 2024 and 2025, indicating improving safety.
Dallas-Fort Worth is a major economic powerhouse with strong job creation and a diverse range of thriving industries like IT, Financial Services, and Healthcare.
The city was ranked as the No. 1 most affordable city in the world for dining out in 2025, offering excellent culinary experiences at reasonable prices.
The Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex has shown strong new business growth, with a 28% increase in new business account applications from 2024 to 2025.
Dallas offers a vibrant cultural scene, extensive entertainment options, and numerous parks and outdoor activities, contributing to a high quality of life.
Drawbacks
Despite improvements in crime rates, police response times remain high, which can be a concern for residents in emergency situations.
Dallas is a car-dependent city with an average walk score of 46, and drivers experience significant traffic congestion, losing an average of 69 hours in traffic in 2024.
Summers in Dallas are characterized by scorching heat and stifling humidity, with average highs reaching 96°F and frequently exceeding 100°F.
While housing is relatively affordable compared to some major U.S. cities, home prices in Dallas saw a decline of 1.52% from December 2024 to December 2025, indicating a cooling market.
Utilities costs in Dallas are notably higher than the national average, impacting overall monthly expenses.
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.
Dallas
#19Texas, USA
72.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,907
Avg Salary
$66,419
Cost Index
103
Commute
30 min
Transit Score
45.0/10
Walkability
46.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.52%
Unemployment
3.90%
Livability
68
Business
80
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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