Performance
Score Breakdown
Olympia
Fairbanks
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Olympia is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
50% lower compared to Fairbanks.
Housing costs are a major driver: Olympia's average rent is
30% higher than Fairbanks's.
| Metric | Olympia | Fairbanks | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,723 | $1,330 | +30% |
| Groceries | $0 | $858 | -100% |
| Utilities | $0 | $617 | -100% |
| Transport | $0 | $447 | -100% |
| Healthcare | $0 | $190 | -100% |
| Monthly Total | $1,723 | $3,442 | -50% |
| Cost Index | 113 | 123 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Olympia offers 147% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Olympia delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Olympia is estimated at
$87,000 vs $53,196 in Fairbanks.
| Metric | Olympia | Fairbanks |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $98,686 | $39,915 |
| Salary Needed | $87,000 | $53,196 |
| Purchasing Power | 87,333 idx | 32,451 idx |
| Household Income | $81,302 | $73,534 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Olympia | Fairbanks |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 75.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 1 minutes of each other.
Olympia scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Olympia leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Olympia | Fairbanks |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 20 min | 19 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/10 | 24.0/10 |
| Walkability | 39.0/10 | 32.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | ||
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Olympia is the larger city
— approximately 1.7x the population of Fairbanks.
From a growth perspective, Olympia is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Fairbanks has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Olympia | Fairbanks |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 55,951 | 32,083 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.02% | % |
| Median Age | 40.5 | 29.0 |
| Unemployment | 4.60% | 4.40% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Olympia
Advantages
Olympia boasts a high livability score of 84/100, ranking it among the best places to live in Washington and the USA.
The city offers ample job opportunities, particularly in state and local government, contributing to a strong employment score.
Olympia's median household income saw a 5.7% growth year-over-year in 2024, reaching $81,302.
The housing market, while competitive, remains relatively accessible compared to other major West Coast cities.
Olympia has highly-rated public schools, making it attractive for families.
Drawbacks
The overall cost of living in Olympia is 13% to 13.2% higher than the national average.
Olympia's overall crime rate is 68% to 89% higher than the national average, placing it in the 10th percentile for safety.
Healthcare costs in Olympia are significantly higher than the national average, ranging from 19% to 25.3% more expensive.
The city is considered car-dependent, with a walk score of 39 and limited public transportation options.
Olympia experiences a high amount of rainfall annually, averaging around 50-58 inches.
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.
Olympia
#19Washington, USA
72.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,723
Avg Salary
$98,686
Cost Index
113
Commute
20 min
Transit Score
35.0/10
Walkability
39.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.02%
Unemployment
4.60%
Livability
84
Business
0
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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