City Comparison
Wrangell vs Fairbanks
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Wrangell scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Wrangell
Fairbanks
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Wrangell is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
23% lower than in Fairbanks.
Housing costs are a major driver: Wrangell's average rent is
25% lower than Fairbanks's.
| Metric | Wrangell | Fairbanks | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,100 | $1,464 | -25% |
| Groceries | $520 | $550 | -5% |
| Utilities | $220 | $617 | -64% |
| Transport | $150 | $120 | +25% |
| Healthcare | $280 | $187 | +50% |
| Monthly Total | $2,270 | $2,938 | -23% |
| Cost Index | 122 | 123 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Wrangell offers 12% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Wrangell delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Wrangell is estimated at
$52,000 vs $87,000 in Fairbanks.
| Metric | Wrangell | Fairbanks |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $63,750 | $56,940 |
| Salary Needed | $52,000 | $87,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 52,254 idx | 46,293 idx |
| Household Income | $63,750 | $73,534 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Wrangell runs warmer on average — a 43°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Wrangell comes out ahead with 140 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Wrangell sees 183.5 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Wrangell | Fairbanks |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 43.00°F | °F |
| Summer High | 64.70°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 21.00°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 132.30 in | in |
| Snowfall | 183.50 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 140 | |
| Humidity | 78.00% | % |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Wrangell has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
5,000 minutes (83 hours) per year compared to Fairbanks.
Wrangell scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Wrangell leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Wrangell | Fairbanks |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 9 min | 19 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | — |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | — |
| Traffic Index | 20.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Fairbanks is the larger city
— approximately 0.1x the population of Wrangell.
From a growth perspective, Wrangell is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Wrangell has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Wrangell | Fairbanks |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,007 | 31,282 |
| Pop. Growth | — | — |
| Median Age | 48.1 | 29.0 |
| Unemployment | 3.00% | 4.80% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Wrangell
Advantages
Median monthly rent for multi-family units ranks among the most affordable in Southeast Alaska per state labor reports
Exceptionally low violent crime rates offer a safe, secure environment for families and retirees
Unrivaled proximity to pristine wilderness, sportfishing, and outdoor recreational opportunities
A tight-knit, supportive community with high civic engagement and volunteerism
Local employment stability anchored by healthcare, public administration, and seafood processing
Drawbacks
Geographic isolation drives up the cost of groceries, freight, and goods shipped to the island
Limited housing inventory and low rental vacancy rates can make finding accommodation difficult
Harsh winter weather with heavy snowfall and limited daylight hours requires lifestyle adjustments
Employment opportunities are narrow, heavily concentrated in seasonal or resource-dependent sectors
Travel to the mainland requires reliance on ferries or regional air services, increasing transit costs
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.
Wrangell
#384Alaska, USA
59.2 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,100
Avg Salary
$63,750
Cost Index
122
Commute
9 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
140/yr
Avg Temp
43.00°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
3.00%
Livability
78
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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