Performance
Score Breakdown
Fairbanks
Enterprise
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Enterprise is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
36% higher compared to Fairbanks.
Housing costs are a major driver: Fairbanks's average rent is
11% lower than Enterprise's.
| Metric | Fairbanks | Enterprise | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,330 | $1,495 | -11% |
| Groceries | $858 | $400 | +115% |
| Utilities | $617 | $260 | +137% |
| Transport | $447 | $120 | +273% |
| Healthcare | $190 | $250 | -24% |
| Monthly Total | $3,442 | $2,525 | +36% |
| Cost Index | 123 | 82 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Enterprise offers 16% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Enterprise delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Fairbanks is estimated at
$53,196 vs $59,800 in Enterprise.
| Metric | Fairbanks | Enterprise |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $39,915 | $47,412 |
| Salary Needed | $53,196 | $59,800 |
| Purchasing Power | 32,451 idx | 57,820 idx |
| Household Income | $73,534 | $73,125 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Fairbanks | Enterprise |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 65.00% | 71.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 1 minutes of each other.
Fairbanks scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Fairbanks leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Fairbanks | Enterprise |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 19 min | 20 min |
| Transit Score | 24.0/10 | 10.0/10 |
| Walkability | 32.0/10 | 19.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | ||
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Fairbanks is the larger city
.
From a growth perspective, Enterprise is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Enterprise has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Fairbanks | Enterprise |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 32,083 | 31,698 |
| Pop. Growth | % | 1.56% |
| Median Age | 29.0 | 36.5 |
| Unemployment | 4.40% | 2.30% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
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.
Enterprise
Advantages
The median rent in Enterprise is 23% below the national average, making housing more affordable.
Enterprise has a growing population, with a 1.56% annual growth rate in 2026.
The city's unemployment rate was 2.3% in April 2026, significantly lower than the national average.
Medical Center Enterprise earned an 'A' Hospital Safety Grade in Spring 2026, indicating high-quality healthcare services.
The city offers a newly renovated recreation center with modern fitness and aquatic facilities, enhancing community amenities.
Drawbacks
Enterprise has a low Walk Score of 19, indicating it is a car-dependent city with limited walkability.
Public transit options are very limited, with a low Transit Access score of 1/10.
Crime rates in Enterprise are reported to be higher than the national average, particularly for violent crimes.
Summers in Enterprise are long, hot, and oppressive, with high humidity levels.
Some online claims about the city's crime rate rely on outdated data, leading to potential misinformation.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
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
Enterprise
#36Alabama, USA
68.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,495
Avg Salary
$47,412
Cost Index
82
Commute
20 min
Transit Score
10.0/10
Walkability
19.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.56%
Unemployment
2.30%
Livability
65
Business
65
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