City Comparison
Valdez vs Fairbanks
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Valdez scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Valdez
Fairbanks
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Valdez is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
14% lower than in Fairbanks.
| Metric | Valdez | Fairbanks | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,350 | $1,464 | -8% |
| Groceries | $520 | $550 | -5% |
| Utilities | $220 | $617 | -64% |
| Transport | $150 | $120 | +25% |
| Healthcare | $280 | $187 | +50% |
| Monthly Total | $2,520 | $2,938 | -14% |
| Cost Index | 128 | 123 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Valdez offers 19% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Valdez delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Valdez is estimated at
$60,000 vs $87,000 in Fairbanks.
| Metric | Valdez | Fairbanks |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $68,000 | $56,940 |
| Salary Needed | $60,000 | $87,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 53,125 idx | 46,293 idx |
| Household Income | $99,271 | $73,534 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Valdez runs warmer on average — a 38.9°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Valdez comes out ahead with 139 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Valdez sees 419.7 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Valdez | Fairbanks |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 38.90°F | °F |
| Summer High | 60.90°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 18.60°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 115.50 in | in |
| Snowfall | 419.70 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 139 | |
| Humidity | 72.00% | % |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Valdez has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
4,000 minutes (67 hours) per year compared to Fairbanks.
Valdez scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Valdez leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Valdez | Fairbanks |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 11 min | 19 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | — |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | — |
| Traffic Index | 25.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Fairbanks is the larger city
— approximately 0.1x the population of Valdez.
From a growth perspective, Valdez is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
| Metric | Valdez | Fairbanks |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 3,847 | 31,282 |
| Pop. Growth | — | — |
| Median Age | 38.4 | 29.0 |
| Unemployment | 4.80% | 4.80% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Valdez
Advantages
Average home values remain relatively stable around $351,711 per recent Zillow market data.
Residents enjoy zero state income tax and benefit from annual Alaska Permanent Fund Dividend payouts.
Exceptional proximity to world-class glaciers, sportfishing, and backcountry winter recreation.
High-wage career opportunities centered around the Trans-Alaska Pipeline marine terminal and energy sector.
Extremely low crime rates and a strong, supportive community-oriented atmosphere.
Drawbacks
High cost of living driven by freight and shipping expenses inherent to remote coastal Alaska geography.
Challenging rental market inventory with a significant portion of housing utilized for seasonal or corporate needs.
Severe winter weather conditions featuring heavy snowfall averaging over 400 inches annually.
Limited local availability for specialized medical care, often requiring transit to Anchorage.
Geographic isolation with limited road access routes out of the community during heavy winter storms.
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.
Valdez
#399Alaska, USA
58.4 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,350
Avg Salary
$68,000
Cost Index
128
Commute
11 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
139/yr
Avg Temp
38.90°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.80%
Livability
76
Business
67
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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