Performance
Score Breakdown
Fairbanks
Aberdeen
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Aberdeen is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
27% higher compared to Fairbanks.
Housing costs are a major driver: Fairbanks's average rent is
17% higher than Aberdeen's.
| Metric | Fairbanks | Aberdeen | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,464 | $1,250 | +17% |
| Groceries | $550 | $388 | +42% |
| Utilities | $617 | $288 | +114% |
| Transport | $120 | $80 | +50% |
| Healthcare | $187 | $305 | -39% |
| Monthly Total | $2,938 | $2,311 | +27% |
| Cost Index | 123 | 82 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Fairbanks offers 47% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Aberdeen delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Fairbanks is estimated at
$87,000 vs $50,000 in Aberdeen.
| Metric | Fairbanks | Aberdeen |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $56,940 | $38,861 |
| Salary Needed | $87,000 | $50,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 46,293 idx | 47,391 idx |
| Household Income | $73,534 | $64,405 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Fairbanks | Aberdeen |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | % | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Aberdeen has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
4,000 minutes (67 hours) per year compared to Fairbanks.
Aberdeen scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Aberdeen leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Fairbanks | Aberdeen |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 19 min | 11 min |
| Transit Score | 0.0/10 | 20.0/10 |
| Walkability | 0.0/10 | 39.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | ||
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Fairbanks is the larger city
— approximately 1.1x the population of Aberdeen.
From a growth perspective, Aberdeen is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Aberdeen has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Fairbanks | Aberdeen |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 31,282 | 28,376 |
| Pop. Growth | % | 0.97% |
| Median Age | 29.0 | 36.4 |
| Unemployment | 4.80% | 1.70% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
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.
Aberdeen
Advantages
Aberdeen boasts a significantly low unemployment rate of 1.7% in 2026, well below the national average, indicating a robust job market.
The cost of living in Aberdeen is 18% less expensive than the national average, particularly in housing, making it highly affordable.
Residents enjoy a remarkably short average commute time of 11 minutes, significantly reducing daily travel stress.
Aberdeen serves as a regional healthcare hub with three hospitals and a wide range of medical specialties, ensuring quality healthcare access.
The city has a high livability score of 80 out of 100, reflecting a good quality of life with ample amenities and a strong community feel.
Drawbacks
Crime data for Aberdeen is conflicting, with some sources indicating a higher violent crime rate than the average U.S. city and a lower safety percentile.
Public transportation options are limited to a demand-response bus service, with very low utilization among workers, leading to high car dependency.
Aberdeen experiences very cold, snowy, and windy winters with average low temperatures reaching 6°F in January.
Despite some positive projections, population growth rates are inconsistent across sources, with some indicating stagnation or decline in recent years.
The average rent in Aberdeen has seen a significant increase of 52.9% in the past year, potentially impacting affordability for new renters.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Fairbanks
#16Alaska, 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
Aberdeen
#16South Dakota, USA
68.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,250
Avg Salary
$38,861
Cost Index
82
Commute
11 min
Transit Score
20.0/10
Walkability
39.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.97%
Unemployment
1.70%
Livability
80
Business
65
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