Performance
Score Breakdown
Madison
Fairbanks
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Madison is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
19% lower compared to Fairbanks.
| Metric | Madison | Fairbanks | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,358 | $1,464 | -7% |
| Groceries | $450 | $550 | -18% |
| Utilities | $223 | $617 | -64% |
| Transport | $150 | $120 | +25% |
| Healthcare | $200 | $187 | +7% |
| Monthly Total | $2,381 | $2,938 | -19% |
| Cost Index | 96 | 123 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Fairbanks offers 1% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Madison delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Madison is estimated at
$55,000 vs $87,000 in Fairbanks.
| Metric | Madison | Fairbanks |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $56,185 | $56,940 |
| Salary Needed | $55,000 | $87,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 58,526 idx | 46,293 idx |
| Household Income | $134,655 | $73,534 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Madison | Fairbanks |
|---|---|---|
| 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.
Madison scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Madison leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Madison | Fairbanks |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 20 min | 19 min |
| Transit Score | 10.0/10 | 0.0/10 |
| Walkability | 17.0/10 | 0.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 50.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Madison is the larger city
— approximately 2x the population of Fairbanks.
From a growth perspective, Madison is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Madison has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Madison | Fairbanks |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 64,029 | 31,282 |
| Pop. Growth | 4.40% | % |
| Median Age | 37.3 | 29.0 |
| Unemployment | 2.00% | 4.80% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Madison
Advantages
Madison was ranked as the #9 Best Place to Live in the U.S. by Niche in 2025.
The city's overall crime rate is estimated to be 39% below the national average as of 2026, indicating a high level of safety.
The median household income of $134,655 in 2024 is significantly higher than the national average.
Madison's job market is robust, with employment growing by 7.19% from 2023-2024, particularly in the aerospace and technology sectors.
The city is known for its excellent school systems and a highly family-friendly environment.
Drawbacks
Madison exhibits high car dependency with a low walkability score of 17 and very limited public transit options.
Summers in Madison are characterized as long, muggy, and hot, with high humidity levels.
While overall healthcare costs are below the national average, they are slightly above the Alabama state average.
Some southeastern neighborhoods of Madison report higher crime rates compared to the safer central areas.
The median home price of approximately $420,000 in mid-2024 is higher than the average for the state of Alabama.
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.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Madison
#2Alabama, USA
82.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,358
Avg Salary
$56,185
Cost Index
96
Commute
20 min
Transit Score
10.0/10
Walkability
17.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
4.40%
Unemployment
2.00%
Livability
76
Business
78
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
Calculate Your Cost Impact
Estimate the salary you'd need when moving between Madison and Fairbanks.
Open Cost Calculator