City Comparison
Nome vs Fairbanks
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Fairbanks scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Nome
Fairbanks
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Fairbanks is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
2% lower than in Nome.
| Metric | Nome | Fairbanks | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,500 | $1,464 | +2% |
| Groceries | $650 | $550 | +18% |
| Utilities | $350 | $617 | -43% |
| Transport | $200 | $120 | +67% |
| Healthcare | $300 | $187 | +60% |
| Monthly Total | $3,000 | $2,938 | +2% |
| Cost Index | 145 | 123 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Nome offers 19% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Nome delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Nome is estimated at
$60,000 vs $87,000 in Fairbanks.
| Metric | Nome | Fairbanks |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $68,000 | $56,940 |
| Salary Needed | $60,000 | $87,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 46,897 idx | 46,293 idx |
| Household Income | $113,646 | $73,534 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Nome runs warmer on average — a 29.3°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Nome comes out ahead with 233 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Nome sees 78.7 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Nome | Fairbanks |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 29.30°F | °F |
| Summer High | 56.30°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 5.00°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 34.60 in | in |
| Snowfall | 78.70 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 233 | |
| Humidity | 72.00% | % |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Nome has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
6,500 minutes (108 hours) per year compared to Fairbanks.
Nome scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Nome leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Nome | Fairbanks |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 6 min | 19 min |
| Transit Score | 40.0/100 | — |
| Walkability | 62.0/100 | — |
| Traffic Index | 30.00 | |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Fairbanks is the larger city
— approximately 0.1x the population of Nome.
From a growth perspective, Nome 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 | Nome | Fairbanks |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 3,653 | 31,282 |
| Pop. Growth | — | — |
| Median Age | 31.4 | 29.0 |
| Unemployment | 8.50% | 4.80% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Nome
Advantages
Median household income stands robustly at $113,646 per the U.S. Census Bureau
Home to the historic finish line of the world-famous Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race
Comprehensive local care provided by Norton Sound Regional Hospital
Rich Inupiat cultural heritage with active community traditions and subsistence lifestyle
Unrivaled access to pristine Arctic wilderness, fishing, and outdoor recreation
Drawbacks
High cost of living and expensive retail goods due to remote fly-in/barge-only logistics
Severe winter weather with prolonged sub-zero temperatures and high heating expenses
Limited local housing inventory and high construction/shipping costs for building materials
Isolation from the primary Alaska highway system, requiring costly air travel for off-peninsula trips
Higher-than-average local crime rates relative to smaller U.S. towns
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.
Nome
#596Alaska, USA
41.8 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,500
Avg Salary
$68,000
Cost Index
145
Commute
6 min
Transit Score
40.0/100
Walkability
62.0/100
Sunny Days
233/yr
Avg Temp
29.30°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
8.50%
Livability
70
Business
62
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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