Performance
Score Breakdown
Fairbanks
Olympia
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Olympia is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
5% higher compared to Fairbanks.
Housing costs are a major driver: Fairbanks's average rent is
19% lower than Olympia's.
| Metric | Fairbanks | Olympia | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,464 | $1,800 | -19% |
| Groceries | $550 | $420 | +31% |
| Utilities | $617 | $216 | +186% |
| Transport | $120 | $120 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $187 | $250 | -25% |
| Monthly Total | $2,938 | $2,806 | +5% |
| Cost Index | 123 | 113 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Olympia offers 29% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Olympia delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Fairbanks is estimated at
$87,000 vs $75,000 in Olympia.
| Metric | Fairbanks | Olympia |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $56,940 | $80,000 |
| Salary Needed | $87,000 | $75,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 46,293 idx | 70,796 idx |
| Household Income | $73,534 | $81,302 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Fairbanks | Olympia |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | % | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 1 minutes of each other.
Olympia scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Olympia leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Fairbanks | Olympia |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 19 min | 20 min |
| Transit Score | 0.0/10 | 45.0/10 |
| Walkability | 0.0/10 | 55.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 50.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Olympia is the larger city
— approximately 0.5x the population of Fairbanks.
From a growth perspective, Olympia is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
| Metric | Fairbanks | Olympia |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 31,282 | 57,869 |
| Pop. Growth | % | 1.70% |
| Median Age | 29.0 | 40.5 |
| Unemployment | 4.80% | 4.80% |
| 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.
Olympia
Advantages
Olympia's projected population growth rate of 1.7% for 2026 indicates a growing and dynamic community.
The city offers a vibrant arts and culture scene, along with extensive outdoor recreational opportunities due to its natural surroundings.
Utility costs in Olympia are approximately 10% lower than the national average, providing some financial relief to residents.
The average commute time of 20 minutes is relatively short compared to many larger metropolitan areas.
Olympia's median household income of $81,302 in 2024 is higher than the national median, supporting a comfortable lifestyle for many residents.
Drawbacks
The cost of living in Olympia is 13% higher than the national average, primarily driven by housing expenses.
Average rent for apartments in Olympia increased by 6% year-over-year as of June 2026, indicating rising housing costs.
Healthcare costs in Olympia are significantly higher, approximately 24% above the national average.
Transportation expenses are 28% higher than the national average, impacting daily budgets for commuters.
The unemployment rate in Olympia was 4.8% in April 2026, slightly higher than the national average.
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
Olympia
#5Washington, USA
75.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,800
Avg Salary
$80,000
Cost Index
113
Commute
20 min
Transit Score
45.0/10
Walkability
55.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.70%
Unemployment
4.80%
Livability
80
Business
70
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