City Comparison
Unalaska vs Fairbanks
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Unalaska scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Unalaska
Fairbanks
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Unalaska is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
5% lower than in Fairbanks.
Housing costs are a major driver: Unalaska's average rent is
13% higher than Fairbanks's.
| Metric | Unalaska | Fairbanks | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,650 | $1,464 | +13% |
| Groceries | $500 | $550 | -9% |
| Utilities | $180 | $617 | -71% |
| Transport | $150 | $120 | +25% |
| Healthcare | $300 | $187 | +60% |
| Monthly Total | $2,780 | $2,938 | -5% |
| Cost Index | 135 | 123 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Unalaska offers 26% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Unalaska delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Unalaska is estimated at
$65,000 vs $87,000 in Fairbanks.
| Metric | Unalaska | Fairbanks |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $72,000 | $56,940 |
| Salary Needed | $65,000 | $87,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 53,333 idx | 46,293 idx |
| Household Income | $131,964 | $73,534 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Unalaska runs warmer on average — a 42.2°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Unalaska comes out ahead with 156 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Unalaska sees 94.1 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Unalaska | Fairbanks |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 42.20°F | °F |
| Summer High | 55.70°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 33.20°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 68.80 in | in |
| Snowfall | 94.10 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 156 | |
| Humidity | 80.00% | % |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Unalaska has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
6,500 minutes (108 hours) per year compared to Fairbanks.
Unalaska scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Unalaska leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Unalaska | Fairbanks |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 6 min | 19 min |
| Transit Score | 30.0/100 | — |
| Walkability | 55.0/100 | — |
| Traffic Index | 35.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Fairbanks is the larger city
— approximately 0.1x the population of Unalaska.
From a growth perspective, Unalaska is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Unalaska has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Unalaska | Fairbanks |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 4,308 | 31,282 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.05% | — |
| Median Age | 40.4 | 29.0 |
| Unemployment | 4.50% | 4.80% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Unalaska
Advantages
Unalaska's port of Dutch Harbor has led the nation in commercial fish landings volume for decades per municipal data.
Median household incomes are robust, averaging $131,964 according to U.S. Census Bureau estimates.
Violent crime is exceptionally low, offering a secure and tight-knit community atmosphere.
Proximity to pristine wilderness, world-class sport fishing, and dramatic Aleutian landscapes.
Rich multicultural environment shaped by long-standing Alaska Native heritage and international seafood workers.
Drawbacks
Extreme isolation results in high grocery and freight costs, running significantly above the U.S. average.
Severe subarctic weather and high winds frequently disrupt air travel and cargo shipping.
Very tight local housing inventory with elevated home purchase and rental costs.
Limited options for retail shopping, dining, and specialized medical care on the island.
Harsh, wet, and windy winters with limited daylight hours.
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.
Unalaska
#487Alaska, USA
53.7 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,650
Avg Salary
$72,000
Cost Index
135
Commute
6 min
Transit Score
30.0/100
Walkability
55.0/100
Sunny Days
156/yr
Avg Temp
42.20°F
Pop. Growth
0.05%
Unemployment
4.50%
Livability
72
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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