Performance
Score Breakdown
Homewood
Fairbanks
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Homewood is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
24% lower compared to Fairbanks.
Housing costs are a major driver: Homewood's average rent is
20% higher than Fairbanks's.
| Metric | Homewood | Fairbanks | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,596 | $1,330 | +20% |
| Groceries | $450 | $858 | -48% |
| Utilities | $180 | $617 | -71% |
| Transport | $150 | $447 | -66% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $190 | +32% |
| Monthly Total | $2,626 | $3,442 | -24% |
| Cost Index | 105 | 123 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Homewood offers 35% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Homewood delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Homewood is estimated at
$40,000 vs $53,196 in Fairbanks.
| Metric | Homewood | Fairbanks |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $53,746 | $39,915 |
| Salary Needed | $40,000 | $53,196 |
| Purchasing Power | 51,187 idx | 32,451 idx |
| Household Income | $94,485 | $73,534 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Homewood | Fairbanks |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 68.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other.
Homewood scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Homewood leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Homewood | Fairbanks |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 17 min | 19 min |
| Transit Score | 30.0/10 | 24.0/10 |
| Walkability | 55.0/10 | 32.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 40.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Fairbanks is the larger city
— approximately 0.9x the population of Homewood.
From a growth perspective, Homewood is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Homewood has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Homewood | Fairbanks |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 27,829 | 32,083 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.80% | % |
| Median Age | 29.0 | 29.0 |
| Unemployment | 2.10% | 4.40% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Homewood
Advantages
Homewood boasts a significantly shorter average commute time of 17.1 minutes compared to the national average.
The median household income in Homewood was $94,485 in 2024, notably higher than the national average.
The city has a healthy job market with a 1.38% employment growth rate between 2023 and 2024.
Homewood offers a strong sense of community and access to highly-rated public schools.
Residents have access to comprehensive healthcare services, including Baptist Health Brookwood Hospital within the city and major medical centers nearby.
Drawbacks
Median home purchase prices in Homewood are higher than the national average, potentially impacting affordability for buyers.
The city exhibits high car dependency, with most residents driving alone to work, and limited public transit options.
Summers in Homewood are long, hot, and muggy, which may be a drawback for some.
While generally safe, there have been reports of attempted car theft and homelessness in the area.
The median age of 29 is lower than the national average, which might not appeal to those seeking a more established, older demographic.
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.
Homewood
#8Alabama, USA
78.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,596
Avg Salary
$53,746
Cost Index
105
Commute
17 min
Transit Score
30.0/10
Walkability
55.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.80%
Unemployment
2.10%
Livability
82
Business
75
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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