Performance
Score Breakdown
Anchorage
Fairbanks
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Fairbanks is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
19% higher compared to Anchorage.
Housing costs are a major driver: Anchorage's average rent is
31% higher than Fairbanks's.
| Metric | Anchorage | Fairbanks | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,950 | $1,490 | +31% |
| Groceries | $670 | $610 | +10% |
| Utilities | $310 | $280 | +11% |
| Transport | $240 | $220 | +9% |
| Healthcare | $520 | $495 | +5% |
| Monthly Total | $3,690 | $3,095 | +19% |
| Cost Index | 119 | 111 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Anchorage offers 18% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Anchorage delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Anchorage is estimated at
$79,000 vs $65,000 in Fairbanks.
| Metric | Anchorage | Fairbanks |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $84,000 | $71,000 |
| Salary Needed | $79,000 | $65,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 70,588 idx | 63,964 idx |
| Household Income | $86,500 | $74,200 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Anchorage runs warmer on average — a 10.3°F difference year-round.
Winter severity differs too — Anchorage sees 15.1 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Anchorage | Fairbanks |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 37.50°F | 27.20°F |
| Summer High | 66.00°F | 72.00°F |
| Winter Low | 11.00°F | -17.00°F |
| Rainfall | 16.50 in | 11.20 in |
| Snowfall | 79.20 in | 64.10 in |
| Sunny Days | 126 | 121 |
| Humidity | 75.00% | 71.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Fairbanks has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
1,500 minutes (25 hours) per year compared to Anchorage.
Anchorage scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Anchorage leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Anchorage | Fairbanks |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 20 min | 17 min |
| Transit Score | 31.5/10 | 26.0/10 |
| Walkability | 42.2/10 | 35.5/10 |
| Traffic Index | 40.00 | 29.80 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Anchorage is the larger city
— approximately 9.1x the population of Fairbanks.
From a growth perspective, Anchorage is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Anchorage has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Anchorage | Fairbanks |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 291,247 | 32,155 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.70% | -0.10% |
| Median Age | 34.5 | 31.8 |
| Unemployment | 5.20% | 5.80% |
| GDP | $57.0B | $5.2B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Anchorage
Advantages
Outdoor lifestyle opportunities
Drawbacks
Higher living costs
Fairbanks
Analysis
Expert Insights
climate
Anchorage is milder while Fairbanks has harsher winters.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Anchorage
#9Alaska, USA
84.8 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,950
Avg Salary
$84,000
Cost Index
119
Commute
20 min
Transit Score
31.5/10
Walkability
42.2/10
Sunny Days
126/yr
Avg Temp
37.50°F
Pop. Growth
0.70%
Unemployment
5.20%
Livability
87
Business
82
Fairbanks
#15Alaska, USA
76.2 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,490
Avg Salary
$71,000
Cost Index
111
Commute
17 min
Transit Score
26.0/10
Walkability
35.5/10
Sunny Days
121/yr
Avg Temp
27.20°F
Pop. Growth
-0.10%
Unemployment
5.80%
Livability
78
Business
74
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