City Comparison
Dillingham vs Fairbanks
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Dillingham scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Dillingham
Fairbanks
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Dillingham is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
9% lower than in Fairbanks.
Housing costs are a major driver: Dillingham's average rent is
15% lower than Fairbanks's.
| Metric | Dillingham | Fairbanks | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,250 | $1,464 | -15% |
| Groceries | $650 | $550 | +18% |
| Utilities | $280 | $617 | -55% |
| Transport | $200 | $120 | +67% |
| Healthcare | $300 | $187 | +60% |
| Monthly Total | $2,680 | $2,938 | -9% |
| Cost Index | 135 | 123 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Dillingham offers 26% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Dillingham delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Dillingham is estimated at
$65,000 vs $87,000 in Fairbanks.
| Metric | Dillingham | Fairbanks |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $72,000 | $56,940 |
| Salary Needed | $65,000 | $87,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 53,333 idx | 46,293 idx |
| Household Income | $101,200 | $73,534 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Dillingham runs warmer on average — a 37.1°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Dillingham comes out ahead with 211 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Dillingham sees 62.8 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Dillingham | Fairbanks |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 37.10°F | °F |
| Summer High | 60.90°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 16.80°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 45.70 in | in |
| Snowfall | 62.80 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 211 | |
| Humidity | 75.00% | % |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Dillingham has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
4,500 minutes (75 hours) per year compared to Fairbanks.
Dillingham scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Dillingham leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Dillingham | Fairbanks |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 10 min | 19 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | — |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | — |
| Traffic Index | 30.00 | |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Fairbanks is the larger city
— approximately 0.1x the population of Dillingham.
From a growth perspective, Dillingham 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 | Dillingham | Fairbanks |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,109 | 31,282 |
| Pop. Growth | — | — |
| Median Age | 35.5 | 29.0 |
| Unemployment | 5.40% | 4.80% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Dillingham
Advantages
World-class access to pristine wilderness, sport fishing, and outdoor recreation right outside your door.
Strong, close-knit community fabric with rich Alaska Native cultural heritage and traditions.
Lucrative seasonal employment and business opportunities tied to the world's largest sockeye salmon fishery.
Very short average commute times under 10 minutes due to compact town geography.
Comprehensive regional healthcare services provided locally through Kanakanak Hospital.
Drawbacks
High cost of living and inflated grocery prices driven by remote air and barge freight logistics.
Isolation from the main highway system, requiring costly flights or boat travel to reach Anchorage.
Severe subarctic winter climate with limited daylight hours and heavy snow loads.
Fluctuating economic stability tied directly to the annual success and pricing of the commercial salmon harvest.
Limited options for retail shopping, dining, and specialized entertainment.
Fairbanks
Advantages
Average rent in Fairbanks is 20% lower than the national average, making it more affordable for renters.
The housing market is a strong seller's market, with homes selling for 102.11% of the asking price in March 2026.
Job growth is forecasted at 0.8% for 2026, with significant growth in healthcare and transportation sectors.
Fairbanks offers unparalleled access to outdoor activities and a strong sense of community.
The median age of 29 years indicates a relatively young and dynamic population.
Drawbacks
The overall cost of living in Fairbanks is 23% higher than the national average.
Utility prices are significantly higher, approximately 112% above the national average.
Grocery prices are 23% higher than the national average.
The city's population is projected to decline by -0.59% annually.
Government jobs are forecasted to decline, impacting a significant employment sector.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Dillingham
#543Alaska, USA
49.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,250
Avg Salary
$72,000
Cost Index
135
Commute
10 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
211/yr
Avg Temp
37.10°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
5.40%
Livability
72
Business
65
Fairbanks
#592Alaska, USA
42.8 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,464
Avg Salary
$56,940
Cost Index
123
Commute
19 min
Transit Score
—
Walkability
—
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.80%
Livability
72
Business
65
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