Fairbanks, Alaska
AffordabilityAffordability: grade C, better than 28% of US places
WeatherWeather: grade F, better than 1% of US places
Safety & WellbeingSafety & Wellbeing: grade F, better than 5% of US places
Getting AroundGetting Around: grade B+, better than 72% of US places
Lifestyle & ConnectivityLifestyle & Connectivity: grade C, better than 46% of US places
- top 2% for commute time
- top 4% for sales tax
- bottom 2% for property crime
Fairbanks is a mid-size city in Alaska with about 32,000 residents. It grades B+ for getting around and F for weather. Standout strengths include commute time, sales tax, and estimated total tax burden. It rates lower on sunny days and property crime.
Official websitefairbanksalaska.us (opens in new tab)
Climate
Mild summers · Harsh winters · Dry · Heavy snow
frigid
freez.
v.cold
cool
comfortable
cool
cold
v.cold
frigid
54%23%clearovercast
Precipitation 2.4 in0.4 in
dry
Livability factors
Affordability
Median Household Income$70k61st percentile — neutral, not ranked
Cost of Living$58kbetter than 14% of US places
Home Value$262k72nd percentile — neutral, not ranked
Monthly Rent$1kbetter than 19% of US places
Monthly Owner Costs$2kbetter than 18% of US places
Property Tax Rate1.27%better than 35% of US places
Income Tax0.00%better than 92% of US places
Sales Tax1.82%better than 96% of US places
Estimated total tax burden5.37%better than 92% of US places
Unemployment7.0%better than 25% of US places
Weather
Winter Temp (Jan)-4°F0th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Summer Temp (Jul)62°F2nd percentile — neutral, not ranked
Annual Precipitation13.0 in6th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Annual Snowfall57.8 inbetter than 10% of US places
Sunny Days160 daysbetter than 3% of US places
Summer Humidity50°Fbetter than 90% of US places
Comfortable Days46 daysbetter than 8% of US places
Safety & Wellbeing
Natural Disaster Risk92.8better than 6% of US places
Air Quality47 AQIbetter than 45% of US places
School Quality70.5better than 66% of US places
Violent Crime2376/100kbetter than 5% of US places
Property Crime4334/100kbetter than 2% of US places
Community
Population32,49696th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Median Age28.16th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Racial Diversity0.5892nd percentile — neutral, not ranked
Male/Female Ratio1.1579th percentile — neutral, not ranked
White (%)57.5%22nd percentile — neutral, not ranked
Black (%)7.4%81st percentile — neutral, not ranked
Hispanic (%)11.1%75th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Asian (%)4.2%89th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Other / Multiracial (%)19.8%94th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Getting Around
Commute Time14 minbetter than 98% of US places
Walkability9.3/20better than 83% of US places
Airport Distance263 mibetter than 4% of US places
Lifestyle & Connectivity
Broadband Access86.8%better than 52% of US places
Amenities Nearby40.93better than 35% of US places
Park & Nature AccessGoodbetter than 61% of US places
Similar places
Frequently asked questions
- Is Fairbanks an affordable place to live?
- Fairbanks is relatively expensive. Its cost-of-living index is $58k, better than 14% of comparable areas.
- What is the median home value in Fairbanks?
- The median home value in Fairbanks is $262k, per the U.S. Census ACS (5-Year).
- What is the median household income in Fairbanks?
- Median household income in Fairbanks is $70k, per the U.S. Census ACS (5-Year).
- How much is rent in Fairbanks?
- Median gross rent in Fairbanks is $1k a month, per the U.S. Census ACS (5-Year).
- Is Fairbanks safe?
- Fairbanks is higher-crime than most comparable areas, with a violent crime rate of 2376/100k (better than 5%). Property crime is 4334/100k.
- What is the weather like in Fairbanks?
- Fairbanks averages 62°F in July and -4°F in January, with 13.0 in of annual precipitation and about 160 sunny days a year.
- How are the schools in Fairbanks?
- Public-school quality in Fairbanks is above average, scoring better than 66% of comparable areas on a composite of graduation rates, spending, and student-teacher ratio.
- How long is the commute in Fairbanks?
- The average one-way commute in Fairbanks is 14 min.
Places near Fairbanks
Compare Fairbanks
Explore Alaska
Data sources
- EPA Air Quality (AQI)
- EPA Smart Location Database
- EPI Family Budget Calculator
- FAA airport enplanements
- FBI Uniform Crime Reports
- FEMA National Risk Index
- NCES School Finance Survey
- NOAA Climate Normals (1991–2020)
- NOAA nClimGrid
- OpenStreetMap
- Tax Foundation + state revenue depts
- U.S. Census ACS (5-Year)
- USGS Protected Areas (PAD-US)