Performance
Score Breakdown
Fairbanks
Juneau
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Fairbanks is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
5% lower compared to Juneau.
Housing costs are a major driver: Fairbanks's average rent is
21% lower than Juneau's.
| Metric | Fairbanks | Juneau | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,464 | $1,860 | -21% |
| Groceries | $550 | $400 | +38% |
| Utilities | $617 | $432 | +43% |
| Transport | $120 | $120 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $187 | $265 | -29% |
| Monthly Total | $2,938 | $3,077 | -5% |
| Cost Index | 123 | 133 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Juneau offers 12% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Juneau delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Fairbanks is estimated at
$87,000 vs $74,400 in Juneau.
| Metric | Fairbanks | Juneau |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $56,940 | $65,000 |
| Salary Needed | $87,000 | $74,400 |
| Purchasing Power | 46,293 idx | 48,872 idx |
| Household Income | $73,534 | $101,661 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Fairbanks | Juneau |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | % | 81.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Juneau has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,000 minutes (33 hours) per year compared to Fairbanks.
Juneau scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Juneau leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Fairbanks | Juneau |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 19 min | 15 min |
| Transit Score | 0.0/10 | 38.0/10 |
| Walkability | 0.0/10 | 21.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | ||
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Juneau is the larger city
.
From a growth perspective, Fairbanks is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Juneau has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Fairbanks | Juneau |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 31,282 | 31,454 |
| Pop. Growth | % | % |
| Median Age | 29.0 | 40.0 |
| Unemployment | 4.80% | 3.50% |
| 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.
Juneau
Advantages
Juneau boasts a median household income of $101,661 (2020-2024), significantly higher than the national average.
The city offers unparalleled access to outdoor activities, including hiking, fishing, and wildlife viewing, due to its location within the Tongass National Forest.
Juneau's unemployment rate was 3.5% in April 2026, indicating a healthy job market.
The tourism industry is a major economic driver, with record cruise passenger numbers in 2025.
Construction, healthcare, and transportation sectors are projected to see job growth in 2026.
Drawbacks
The overall cost of living in Juneau is approximately 32.6% higher than the national average.
Housing costs are particularly high, being about 41.8% more expensive than the national average.
Juneau's population is currently declining at an annual rate of -0.49%.
Utilities are significantly more expensive, approximately 41.1% above national levels.
Healthcare costs, especially for long-term care, are very high, with assisted living at around $10,198 per month.
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
Juneau
#5Alaska, USA
75.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,860
Avg Salary
$65,000
Cost Index
133
Commute
15 min
Transit Score
38.0/10
Walkability
21.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
3.50%
Livability
80
Business
70
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