Performance
Score Breakdown
Fairbanks
Tampa
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Fairbanks is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
3% lower compared to Tampa.
Housing costs are a major driver: Fairbanks's average rent is
19% lower than Tampa's.
| Metric | Fairbanks | Tampa | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,464 | $1,800 | -19% |
| Groceries | $550 | $552 | -0% |
| Utilities | $617 | $294 | +110% |
| Transport | $120 | $120 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $187 | $250 | -25% |
| Monthly Total | $2,938 | $3,016 | -3% |
| Cost Index | 123 | 100 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Tampa offers 12% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Tampa delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Fairbanks is estimated at
$87,000 vs $70,000 in Tampa.
| Metric | Fairbanks | Tampa |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $56,940 | $65,000 |
| Salary Needed | $87,000 | $70,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 46,293 idx | 65,000 idx |
| Household Income | $73,534 | $84,114 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Fairbanks | Tampa |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | % | 74.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Fairbanks has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,000 minutes (50 hours) per year compared to Tampa.
Tampa scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Tampa leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Fairbanks | Tampa |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 19 min | 25 min |
| Transit Score | 0.0/10 | 31.0/10 |
| Walkability | 0.0/10 | 50.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 55.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Tampa is the larger city
— approximately 0.1x the population of Fairbanks.
From a growth perspective, Tampa is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
| Metric | Fairbanks | Tampa |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 31,282 | 419,635 |
| Pop. Growth | % | 1.47% |
| Median Age | 29.0 | 35.9 |
| 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.
Tampa
Advantages
Tampa's job market is experiencing significant growth, particularly in education, health services, and financial activities.
The city has seen a substantial reduction in total crime (14.8%) and violent crime (8.4%) in 2024.
The median household income in Tampa increased by over 15% between 2023 and 2024.
Tampa offers a high quality of life with abundant outdoor activities and a vibrant cultural scene.
Healthcare costs in Tampa are generally lower than the Florida state average.
Drawbacks
The violent crime rate in Tampa (444.6 per 100,000) was higher than the national average in 2024.
Housing costs, particularly median home values, have seen a significant increase, making homeownership less accessible for some.
Tampa's population growth rate has slowed in 2024 compared to previous years, with fewer new residents moving to the city.
The city's overall walkability score is moderate, indicating a reliance on cars for many errands.
The unemployment rate in Tampa (4.8% in April 2026) is slightly above 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
Tampa
#9Florida, USA
72.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,800
Avg Salary
$65,000
Cost Index
100
Commute
25 min
Transit Score
31.0/10
Walkability
50.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.47%
Unemployment
4.80%
Livability
70
Business
75
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