Performance
Score Breakdown
Toronto
Fairbanks
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Toronto is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
19% lower compared to Fairbanks.
Housing costs are a major driver: Toronto's average rent is
15% higher than Fairbanks's.
| Metric | Toronto | Fairbanks | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,686 | $1,464 | +15% |
| Groceries | $353 | $550 | -36% |
| Utilities | $155 | $617 | -75% |
| Transport | $92 | $120 | -23% |
| Healthcare | $100 | $187 | -47% |
| Monthly Total | $2,386 | $2,938 | -19% |
| Cost Index | 71 | 123 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Fairbanks offers 7% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Toronto delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Toronto is estimated at
$55,013 vs $87,000 in Fairbanks.
| Metric | Toronto | Fairbanks |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $52,898 | $56,940 |
| Salary Needed | $55,013 | $87,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 74,504 idx | 46,293 idx |
| Household Income | $59,245 | $73,534 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Toronto | Fairbanks |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 75.00% | % |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Fairbanks has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
6,500 minutes (108 hours) per year compared to Toronto.
Toronto scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Toronto leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Toronto | Fairbanks |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 32 min | 19 min |
| Transit Score | 78.0/10 | 0.0/10 |
| Walkability | 71.0/10 | 0.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 180.00 | |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Toronto is the larger city
— approximately 96.7x the population of Fairbanks.
From a growth perspective, Toronto 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 | Toronto | Fairbanks |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 3,025,647 | 31,282 |
| Pop. Growth | 3.90% | % |
| Median Age | 41.5 | 29.0 |
| Unemployment | 8.90% | 4.80% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Toronto
Advantages
Toronto was the fastest-growing metropolitan area in Canada and the U.S. for the second consecutive year, with its population surging by 3.9% between July 2023 and July 2024.
The city is a major business hub with a strong job market, particularly in high-demand fields like technology (fintech, AI) and healthcare.
Toronto boasts a highly diverse and multicultural population, with over half of its residents born outside of Canada, contributing to a rich cultural landscape.
The public transit system (TTC) is comprehensive, offering extensive subway, streetcar, and bus networks for easy navigation without a car.
Toronto offers a vibrant arts and culture scene, diverse culinary options, and numerous parks and green spaces for a high quality of life.
Drawbacks
Toronto has a high cost of living, with average rent for a one-bedroom apartment in the city center around $1,479 USD per month as of July 2026.
The unemployment rate in Toronto was elevated at 8.9% in September 2025, higher than both provincial and national averages.
The housing market faces significant affordability challenges, with average home prices reaching $1.05 million CAD in July 2024.
Rapid population growth has strained transportation infrastructure, leading to traffic congestion and longer commute times, averaging 32 minutes.
Despite job growth, the influx of workers has outpaced job absorption in some sectors, contributing to the higher unemployment rate.
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.
Toronto
#13Ontario, Canada
72.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,686
Avg Salary
$52,898
Cost Index
71
Commute
32 min
Transit Score
78.0/10
Walkability
71.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
3.90%
Unemployment
8.90%
Livability
74
Business
70
Fairbanks
#68Alaska, USA
68.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,464
Avg Salary
$56,940
Cost Index
123
Commute
19 min
Transit Score
0.0/10
Walkability
0.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.80%
Livability
72
Business
65
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