Performance
Score Breakdown
Fairbanks
Enterprise
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Enterprise is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
38% higher compared to Fairbanks.
Housing costs are a major driver: Fairbanks's average rent is
38% higher than Enterprise's.
| Metric | Fairbanks | Enterprise | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,490 | $1,080 | +38% |
| Groceries | $610 | $450 | +36% |
| Utilities | $280 | $185 | +51% |
| Transport | $220 | $150 | +47% |
| Healthcare | $495 | $370 | +34% |
| Monthly Total | $3,095 | $2,235 | +38% |
| Cost Index | 111 | 87 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Fairbanks offers 29% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Fairbanks delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Fairbanks is estimated at
$65,000 vs $49,000 in Enterprise.
| Metric | Fairbanks | Enterprise |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $71,000 | $55,000 |
| Salary Needed | $65,000 | $49,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 63,964 idx | 63,218 idx |
| Household Income | $74,200 | $59,400 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Enterprise runs warmer on average — a 39.9°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Enterprise comes out ahead with 100 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Fairbanks sees 64 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Fairbanks | Enterprise |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 27.20°F | 67.10°F |
| Summer High | 72.00°F | 91.00°F |
| Winter Low | -17.00°F | 38.00°F |
| Rainfall | 11.20 in | 53.00 in |
| Snowfall | 64.10 in | 0.10 in |
| Sunny Days | 121 | 221 |
| Humidity | 71.00% | 71.00% |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Fairbanks is the larger city
— approximately 1.1x the population of Enterprise.
From a growth perspective, Enterprise is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Enterprise has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Fairbanks | Enterprise |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 32,155 | 28,700 |
| Pop. Growth | -0.10% | 1.10% |
| Median Age | 31.8 | 36.8 |
| Unemployment | 5.80% | 3.80% |
| GDP | $5.2B | $3.2B |
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Fairbanks
#14Alaska, USA
76.2 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,490
Avg Salary
$71,000
Cost Index
111
Sunny Days
121/yr
Avg Temp
27.20°F
Pop. Growth
-0.10%
Unemployment
5.80%
Livability
78
Business
74
Enterprise
#18Alabama, USA
74.4 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,080
Avg Salary
$55,000
Cost Index
87
Sunny Days
221/yr
Avg Temp
67.10°F
Pop. Growth
1.10%
Unemployment
3.80%
Livability
75
Business
73
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