City Comparison
Soldotna vs Fairbanks
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Soldotna scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Soldotna
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 Soldotna.
Housing costs are a major driver: Soldotna's average rent is
26% higher than Fairbanks's.
| Metric | Soldotna | Fairbanks | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,850 | $1,464 | +26% |
| Groceries | $520 | $550 | -5% |
| Utilities | $210 | $617 | -66% |
| Transport | $140 | $120 | +17% |
| Healthcare | $270 | $187 | +44% |
| Monthly Total | $2,990 | $2,938 | +2% |
| Cost Index | 118 | 123 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Soldotna offers 9% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Soldotna delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Soldotna is estimated at
$58,000 vs $87,000 in Fairbanks.
| Metric | Soldotna | Fairbanks |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $62,000 | $56,940 |
| Salary Needed | $58,000 | $87,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 52,542 idx | 46,293 idx |
| Household Income | $56,280 | $73,534 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Soldotna runs warmer on average — a 38.7°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Soldotna comes out ahead with 223 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Soldotna sees 63.7 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Soldotna | Fairbanks |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 38.70°F | °F |
| Summer High | 62.10°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 14.60°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 37.40 in | in |
| Snowfall | 63.70 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 223 | |
| Humidity | 72.00% | % |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Soldotna has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,500 minutes (42 hours) per year compared to Fairbanks.
Soldotna scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Soldotna leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Soldotna | Fairbanks |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 14 min | 19 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | — |
| Walkability | 45.0/100 | — |
| Traffic Index | 38.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Fairbanks is the larger city
— approximately 0.1x the population of Soldotna.
From a growth perspective, Soldotna 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 | Soldotna | Fairbanks |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 4,485 | 31,282 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.19% | — |
| Median Age | 33.1 | 29.0 |
| Unemployment | 5.90% | 4.80% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Soldotna
Advantages
Median home values remain relatively accessible at around $306,000 compared to broader U.S. coastal markets.
World-class access to salmon fishing and outdoor recreation directly within city limits along the Kenai River.
Short average commute times of under 15 minutes allow for an unhurried daily routine.
Serves as a robust regional healthcare hub anchored by Central Peninsula Hospital.
High rates of U.S. citizenship and a strong, tight-knit community civic engagement profile.
Drawbacks
Higher overall cost of living driven by freight and remote shipping expenses for everyday goods.
Limited public transportation infrastructure enforces high car dependency.
Severe winter conditions and limited daylight hours require substantial seasonal adjustment.
Rental market volatility during summer months due to seasonal tourism and fishing worker influxes.
Poverty rate sits somewhat higher than national averages at approximately 16.4%.
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.
Soldotna
#554Alaska, USA
47.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,850
Avg Salary
$62,000
Cost Index
118
Commute
14 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
45.0/100
Sunny Days
223/yr
Avg Temp
38.70°F
Pop. Growth
1.19%
Unemployment
5.90%
Livability
75
Business
65
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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