Performance
Score Breakdown
Flint
Fairbanks
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Flint is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
29% lower compared to Fairbanks.
Housing costs are a major driver: Flint's average rent is
33% lower than Fairbanks's.
| Metric | Flint | Fairbanks | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $895 | $1,330 | -33% |
| Groceries | $691 | $858 | -19% |
| Utilities | $370 | $617 | -40% |
| Transport | $359 | $447 | -20% |
| Healthcare | $118 | $190 | -38% |
| Monthly Total | $2,433 | $3,442 | -29% |
| Cost Index | 90 | 123 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Flint offers 15% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Flint delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Flint is estimated at
$50,364 vs $53,196 in Fairbanks.
| Metric | Flint | Fairbanks |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $45,900 | $39,915 |
| Salary Needed | $50,364 | $53,196 |
| Purchasing Power | 51,000 idx | 32,451 idx |
| Household Income | $37,646 | $73,534 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Flint runs warmer on average — a 49.1°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Flint comes out ahead with 247 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Flint sees 34.6 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Flint | Fairbanks |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 49.10°F | °F |
| Summer High | 81.30°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 16.70°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 31.50 in | in |
| Snowfall | 34.60 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 247 | |
| Humidity | 75.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Fairbanks has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,000 minutes (33 hours) per year compared to Flint.
Flint scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Flint leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Flint | Fairbanks |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 23 min | 19 min |
| Transit Score | 30.0/10 | 24.0/10 |
| Walkability | 40.0/10 | 32.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 50.00 | |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Flint is the larger city
— approximately 2.5x the population of Fairbanks.
From a growth perspective, Flint is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Flint has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Flint | Fairbanks |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 79,735 | 32,083 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.58% | % |
| Median Age | 36.9 | 29.0 |
| Unemployment | 4.20% | 4.40% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Flint
Advantages
The cost of living in Flint is significantly lower than the national average, particularly for housing.
Median home property values are very affordable, at $53,500 in 2024, and saw a 12.4% increase from the previous year.
Flint has a robust healthcare infrastructure with three major high-performing hospitals and specialized medical centers.
The education and health services sector experienced a 2.7% year-over-year job increase in 2024.
The Flint Cultural Center offers significant artistic and educational attractions, enhancing local quality of life.
Drawbacks
The city of Flint has experienced a population decline of 1.9% between 2020 and 2024.
Historically, Flint has been known for comparatively high crime rates.
The median household income in Flint ($37,646 in 2024) is considerably lower than the national average.
Despite lower car ownership, the city exhibits a medium car dependency, indicating limited public transit options.
Some rental prices, particularly for studios, show significant year-over-year fluctuations.
Fairbanks
Advantages
Fairbanks offers abundant outdoor recreational activities, from hiking and fishing in summer to aurora viewing and winter sports.
The average commute time in Fairbanks is shorter than the national average, at 19.2 minutes.
Fairbanks Memorial Hospital is a high-performing facility with patient satisfaction rates above the national average.
Summers feature nearly 24 hours of daylight, providing unique opportunities for gardening and extended outdoor enjoyment.
The community is close-knit and family-friendly, with various local events and cultural heritage celebrations.
Drawbacks
Fairbanks has a high crime rate, significantly above the national average for both violent and property crimes.
The cost of living is 23% higher than the national average, primarily due to very high utility and grocery costs.
Winters are long, dark, and intensely cold, with temperatures regularly dipping well below freezing.
Public transportation options are limited, and the city has a low walkability score, making car dependency high.
Job opportunities outside of major sectors like military, healthcare, and education can be limited.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Flint
#43Michigan, USA
58.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$895
Avg Salary
$45,900
Cost Index
90
Commute
23 min
Transit Score
30.0/10
Walkability
40.0/10
Sunny Days
247/yr
Avg Temp
49.10°F
Pop. Growth
0.58%
Unemployment
4.20%
Livability
62
Business
55
Fairbanks
#42Alaska, USA
60.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,330
Avg Salary
$39,915
Cost Index
123
Commute
19 min
Transit Score
24.0/10
Walkability
32.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.40%
Livability
68
Business
65
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