Performance
Score Breakdown
Anchorage
Fairbanks
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Fairbanks is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
7% higher compared to Anchorage.
Housing costs are a major driver: Anchorage's average rent is
47% higher than Fairbanks's.
| Metric | Anchorage | Fairbanks | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,950 | $1,330 | +47% |
| Groceries | $670 | $858 | -22% |
| Utilities | $310 | $617 | -50% |
| Transport | $240 | $447 | -46% |
| Healthcare | $520 | $190 | +174% |
| Monthly Total | $3,690 | $3,442 | +7% |
| Cost Index | 119 | 123 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Anchorage offers 110% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Anchorage delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Anchorage is estimated at
$79,000 vs $53,196 in Fairbanks.
| Metric | Anchorage | Fairbanks |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $84,000 | $39,915 |
| Salary Needed | $79,000 | $53,196 |
| Purchasing Power | 70,588 idx | 32,451 idx |
| Household Income | $86,500 | $73,534 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Anchorage runs warmer on average — a 37.5°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Anchorage comes out ahead with 126 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Anchorage sees 79.2 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Anchorage | Fairbanks |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 37.50°F | °F |
| Summer High | 66.00°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 11.00°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 16.50 in | in |
| Snowfall | 79.20 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 126 | |
| Humidity | 75.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 1 minutes of each other.
Anchorage scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Anchorage leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Anchorage | Fairbanks |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 20 min | 19 min |
| Transit Score | 31.5/10 | 24.0/10 |
| Walkability | 42.2/10 | 32.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 40.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Anchorage is the larger city
— approximately 9.1x the population of Fairbanks.
From a growth perspective, Anchorage 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 | Anchorage | Fairbanks |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 291,247 | 32,083 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.70% | % |
| Median Age | 34.5 | 29.0 |
| Unemployment | 5.20% | 4.40% |
| GDP | $57.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Anchorage
Advantages
Outdoor lifestyle opportunities
Drawbacks
Higher living costs
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.
Analysis
Expert Insights
climate
Anchorage is milder while Fairbanks has harsher winters.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Anchorage
#4Alaska, USA
84.8 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,950
Avg Salary
$84,000
Cost Index
119
Commute
20 min
Transit Score
31.5/10
Walkability
42.2/10
Sunny Days
126/yr
Avg Temp
37.50°F
Pop. Growth
0.70%
Unemployment
5.20%
Livability
87
Business
82
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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