Performance
Score Breakdown
Des Moines
Fairbanks
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Des Moines is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
19% lower compared to Fairbanks.
Housing costs are a major driver: Des Moines's average rent is
44% lower than Fairbanks's.
| Metric | Des Moines | Fairbanks | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $744 | $1,330 | -44% |
| Groceries | $600 | $858 | -30% |
| Utilities | $150 | $617 | -76% |
| Transport | $800 | $447 | +79% |
| Healthcare | $500 | $190 | +163% |
| Monthly Total | $2,794 | $3,442 | -19% |
| Cost Index | 92 | 123 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Des Moines offers 36% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Des Moines delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Des Moines is estimated at
$45,000 vs $53,196 in Fairbanks.
| Metric | Des Moines | Fairbanks |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $54,311 | $39,915 |
| Salary Needed | $45,000 | $53,196 |
| Purchasing Power | 59,034 idx | 32,451 idx |
| Household Income | $63,212 | $73,534 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Des Moines | Fairbanks |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 64.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 1 minutes of each other.
Des Moines scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Des Moines leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Des Moines | Fairbanks |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 20 min | 19 min |
| Transit Score | 30.0/10 | 24.0/10 |
| Walkability | 50.0/10 | 32.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 134.40 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Des Moines is the larger city
— approximately 6.7x the population of Fairbanks.
From a growth perspective, Des Moines is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Des Moines has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Des Moines | Fairbanks |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 214,237 | 32,083 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.20% | % |
| Median Age | 34.4 | 29.0 |
| Unemployment | 4.20% | 4.40% |
| GDP | $34.1B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Des Moines
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.
Des Moines
#14Iowa, USA
75.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$744
Avg Salary
$54,311
Cost Index
92
Commute
20 min
Transit Score
30.0/10
Walkability
50.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.20%
Unemployment
4.20%
Livability
85
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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