Performance
Score Breakdown
Nashville
Fairbanks
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Nashville is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
23% lower compared to Fairbanks.
Housing costs are a major driver: Nashville's average rent is
27% higher than Fairbanks's.
| Metric | Nashville | Fairbanks | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,684 | $1,330 | +27% |
| Groceries | $400 | $858 | -53% |
| Utilities | $260 | $617 | -58% |
| Transport | $180 | $447 | -60% |
| Healthcare | $140 | $190 | -26% |
| Monthly Total | $2,664 | $3,442 | -23% |
| Cost Index | 96 | 123 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Nashville offers 134% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Nashville delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Nashville is estimated at
$67,356 vs $53,196 in Fairbanks.
| Metric | Nashville | Fairbanks |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $93,454 | $39,915 |
| Salary Needed | $67,356 | $53,196 |
| Purchasing Power | 97,348 idx | 32,451 idx |
| Household Income | $77,371 | $73,534 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Nashville | Fairbanks |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 69.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Fairbanks has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
5,500 minutes (92 hours) per year compared to Nashville.
Nashville scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Nashville leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Nashville | Fairbanks |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 30 min | 19 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/10 | 24.0/10 |
| Walkability | 40.0/10 | 32.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 38.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Nashville is the larger city
— approximately 22.2x the population of Fairbanks.
From a growth perspective, Nashville is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Nashville has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Nashville | Fairbanks |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 712,581 | 32,083 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.54% | % |
| Median Age | 34.5 | 29.0 |
| Unemployment | 3.00% | 4.40% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Nashville
Advantages
Nashville's metro area unemployment rate of 3.0% (March 2026) is well below the national average, indicating a robust job market.
The city's cost of living index of 95.9 (March 2026) makes it approximately 4.1% more affordable than the national average.
Nashville experienced a job growth rate of 1.1% through September 2025, ranking it among the top U.S. metros for employment growth.
Violent offenses in Nashville were down nearly 14% and property crime decreased by almost 12% in 2025 compared to 2024, with homicides at their lowest in a decade.
Tennessee has no state income tax, which can be a significant financial advantage for residents.
Drawbacks
Nashville experiences significant traffic congestion, ranking 27th worst globally and 11th in the U.S. in 2025, with drivers losing an average of 63 hours annually.
Summers in Nashville are hot and muggy, with high humidity levels, which can be uncomfortable for some residents.
Housing costs are rising, with median home prices at $475,000 (July 2025) and average rents increasing, making affordability a growing concern.
The city's public transportation system is not as readily accessible as in other major cities, contributing to high car dependency.
Despite recent improvements, Nashville's overall crime rate of 57.31 per 1,000 people (2024 data) places it in a moderate safety range, with some areas having elevated crime.
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.
Nashville
#31Tennessee, USA
70.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,684
Avg Salary
$93,454
Cost Index
96
Commute
30 min
Transit Score
35.0/10
Walkability
40.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.54%
Unemployment
3.00%
Livability
70
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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