Performance
Score Breakdown
Fairbanks
Juneau
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Fairbanks is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
4% lower compared to Juneau.
Housing costs are a major driver: Fairbanks's average rent is
27% lower than Juneau's.
| Metric | Fairbanks | Juneau | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,330 | $1,820 | -27% |
| Groceries | $858 | $690 | +24% |
| Utilities | $617 | $325 | +90% |
| Transport | $447 | $230 | +94% |
| Healthcare | $190 | $535 | -64% |
| Monthly Total | $3,442 | $3,600 | -4% |
| Cost Index | 123 | 127 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Juneau offers 54% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Juneau delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Fairbanks is estimated at
$53,196 vs $81,000 in Juneau.
| Metric | Fairbanks | Juneau |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $39,915 | $86,000 |
| Salary Needed | $53,196 | $81,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 32,451 idx | 67,717 idx |
| Household Income | $73,534 | $88,100 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Juneau runs warmer on average — a 42.1°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Juneau comes out ahead with 90 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Juneau sees 87 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Fairbanks | Juneau |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | 42.10°F |
| Summer High | °F | 64.00°F |
| Winter Low | °F | 22.00°F |
| Rainfall | in | 62.00 in |
| Snowfall | in | 87.00 in |
| Sunny Days | 90 | |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 80.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 1 minutes of each other.
Juneau scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Juneau leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Fairbanks | Juneau |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 19 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 24.0/10 | 44.1/10 |
| Walkability | 32.0/10 | 58.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 33.40 | |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Fairbanks is the larger city
.
From a growth perspective, Juneau 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 | Fairbanks | Juneau |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 32,083 | 32,000 |
| Pop. Growth | % | 0.40% |
| Median Age | 29.0 | 38.1 |
| Unemployment | 4.40% | 4.70% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $7.6B |
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.
Juneau
Advantages
Scenic and unique lifestyle
Drawbacks
Remote and expensive
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
Juneau
#5Alaska, USA
82.5 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,820
Avg Salary
$86,000
Cost Index
127
Commute
18 min
Transit Score
44.1/10
Walkability
58.0/10
Sunny Days
90/yr
Avg Temp
42.10°F
Pop. Growth
0.40%
Unemployment
4.70%
Livability
85
Business
80
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