Performance
Score Breakdown
Fairbanks
Florence
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Florence is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
16% higher compared to Fairbanks.
Housing costs are a major driver: Fairbanks's average rent is
23% higher than Florence's.
| Metric | Fairbanks | Florence | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,464 | $1,195 | +23% |
| Groceries | $550 | $550 | 0% |
| Utilities | $617 | $344 | +79% |
| Transport | $120 | $323 | -63% |
| Healthcare | $187 | $126 | +48% |
| Monthly Total | $2,938 | $2,538 | +16% |
| Cost Index | 123 | 83 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Fairbanks offers 36% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Florence delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Fairbanks is estimated at
$87,000 vs $52,000 in Florence.
| Metric | Fairbanks | Florence |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $56,940 | $41,838 |
| Salary Needed | $87,000 | $52,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 46,293 idx | 50,407 idx |
| Household Income | $73,534 | $52,174 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Fairbanks | Florence |
|---|---|---|
| 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 0 minutes of each other.
Florence scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Florence leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Fairbanks | Florence |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 19 min | 19 min |
| Transit Score | 0.0/10 | 30.0/10 |
| Walkability | 0.0/10 | 32.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | ||
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Florence is the larger city
— approximately 0.7x the population of Fairbanks.
From a growth perspective, Florence is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Florence has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Fairbanks | Florence |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 31,282 | 43,097 |
| Pop. Growth | % | 1.21% |
| Median Age | 29.0 | 35.1 |
| Unemployment | 4.80% | 4.20% |
| 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.
Florence
Advantages
The cost of living in Florence is 16.8% lower than the national average, making it highly affordable.
Housing costs are significantly lower, with the median home price at $235,000 in May 2026, which is 49% lower than the national average.
Florence experienced a strong employment growth rate of 6.33% from 2023 to 2024.
The average commute time is relatively short at 18.7 minutes.
The city offers a vibrant cultural scene and access to outdoor activities along the Tennessee River.
Drawbacks
The overall crime rate in Florence is 25% higher than the national average, with violent crimes being 75% higher.
Florence has a low Walk Score of 32, indicating high car dependency for most errands.
Public transit options are limited, contributing to the city's car-dependent nature.
A significant portion of major roads and highways in the Florence area are in poor or mediocre condition.
The unemployment rate for Florence specifically was not readily available in recent data.
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
Florence
#16Alabama, USA
68.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,195
Avg Salary
$41,838
Cost Index
83
Commute
19 min
Transit Score
30.0/10
Walkability
32.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.21%
Unemployment
4.20%
Livability
75
Business
65
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