City Comparison
Seward vs Fairbanks
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Seward scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Seward
Fairbanks
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
| Metric | Seward | Fairbanks | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $0 | $1,464 | -100% |
| Groceries | $0 | $550 | -100% |
| Utilities | $0 | $617 | -100% |
| Transport | $0 | $120 | -100% |
| Healthcare | $0 | $187 | -100% |
| Monthly Total | $0 | $2,938 | -100% |
| Cost Index | 123 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Seward offers 24% higher average salaries.
| Metric | Seward | Fairbanks |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $70,600 | $56,940 |
| Salary Needed | $0 | $87,000 |
| Household Income | $85,481 | $73,534 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Seward runs warmer on average — a 38.9°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Seward comes out ahead with 138 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Seward sees 455.7 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Seward | Fairbanks |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 38.90°F | °F |
| Summer High | 60.90°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 18.80°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 134.50 in | in |
| Snowfall | 455.70 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 138 | |
| Humidity | % | % |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Seward has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,500 minutes (58 hours) per year compared to Fairbanks.
For walkability, Seward leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Seward | Fairbanks |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 12 min | 19 min |
| Transit Score | — | — |
| Walkability | 60.0/100 | — |
| Traffic Index | ||
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Fairbanks is the larger city
— approximately 0.1x the population of Seward.
From a growth perspective, Seward is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Seward has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Seward | Fairbanks |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,794 | 31,282 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.97% | — |
| Median Age | 37.7 | 29.0 |
| Unemployment | 4.20% | 4.80% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Seward
Advantages
Seward boasts a high safety rating, ranking fifth for safety and fifth for lowest violent crime rate in Alaska as of 2024.
The median household income in Seward was $85,481 in 2024, significantly above the national average.
Employment in Seward grew by 5.77% from 2023 to 2024, indicating a robust job market.
Seward offers a high degree of walkability in its downtown and harbor areas, making it easy to explore on foot.
The city is a gateway to Kenai Fjords National Park, offering unparalleled access to natural beauty and outdoor adventures.
Drawbacks
Seward's overall crime rate is 2% higher than the national average, with property crimes being more prevalent.
The cost of living in Alaska, and by extension Seward, can be higher than the national average due to transportation costs for goods.
Rideshare services like Uber and Lyft are not available in Seward, requiring reliance on taxis or other transportation methods.
Seward has a lower percentage of foreign-born residents (6.73%) compared to the national average (14%), suggesting less diversity in that aspect.
The median age in Seward is 37.7 years, which is slightly lower than the US median of 38.9 years, indicating a slightly younger population.
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.
Seward
#23Alaska, USA
72.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$0
Avg Salary
$70,600
Cost Index
Commute
12 min
Transit Score
—
Walkability
60.0/100
Sunny Days
138/yr
Avg Temp
38.90°F
Pop. Growth
0.97%
Unemployment
4.20%
Livability
74
Business
68
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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