City Comparison
Kodiak vs Fairbanks
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Kodiak scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Kodiak
Fairbanks
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Fairbanks is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
18% lower than in Kodiak.
Housing costs are a major driver: Kodiak's average rent is
61% higher than Fairbanks's.
| Metric | Kodiak | Fairbanks | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,350 | $1,464 | +61% |
| Groceries | $550 | $550 | 0% |
| Utilities | $220 | $617 | -64% |
| Transport | $150 | $120 | +25% |
| Healthcare | $300 | $187 | +60% |
| Monthly Total | $3,570 | $2,938 | +22% |
| Cost Index | 132 | 123 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Kodiak offers 25% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Kodiak delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Kodiak is estimated at
$62,000 vs $87,000 in Fairbanks.
| Metric | Kodiak | Fairbanks |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $71,000 | $56,940 |
| Salary Needed | $62,000 | $87,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 53,788 idx | 46,293 idx |
| Household Income | $90,292 | $73,534 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Kodiak runs warmer on average — a 43.2°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Kodiak comes out ahead with 171 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Kodiak sees 42.9 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Kodiak | Fairbanks |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 43.20°F | °F |
| Summer High | 58.00°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 31.60°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 70.70 in | in |
| Snowfall | 42.90 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 171 | |
| Humidity | 78.00% | % |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Kodiak has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,000 minutes (33 hours) per year compared to Fairbanks.
Kodiak scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Kodiak leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Kodiak | Fairbanks |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 15 min | 19 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | — |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | — |
| Traffic Index | 30.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Fairbanks is the larger city
— approximately 0.2x the population of Kodiak.
From a growth perspective, Kodiak is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Kodiak has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Kodiak | Fairbanks |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 5,214 | 31,282 |
| Pop. Growth | — | — |
| Median Age | 40.2 | 29.0 |
| Unemployment | 2.50% | 4.80% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Kodiak
Advantages
Median household income in Kodiak stands at a robust $90,292, outpacing many rural US regions per Census data
World-class commercial fishing, sportfishing, and pristine wilderness right outside your door
Extremely low crime rates and high community safety compared to the national average
Rich cultural diversity with a vibrant Alutiiq heritage and significant Asian and Pacific Islander community presence
Strong local economy anchored by the U.S. Coast Guard base and stable seafood processing industries
Drawbacks
Average monthly rent of $2,350 reflects tight housing inventory and high island shipping expenses per Zillow/Zumper data
High cost of living driven by freight expenses for groceries, utilities, and building materials
Frequent overcast days, heavy rainfall (70.7 inches annually), and windy maritime weather
Isolated geography requires air or ferry travel for mainland access, increasing travel costs
Limited public transit infrastructure makes car ownership an absolute necessity
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.
Kodiak
#444Alaska, USA
55.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,350
Avg Salary
$71,000
Cost Index
132
Commute
15 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
171/yr
Avg Temp
43.20°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
2.50%
Livability
76
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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