Fairbanks, Alaska is a moderately-sized city with a population of 32,578 people. According to the most recent Census, 66% of Fairbanks residents are White, 8% Black and 7% American Indian and Alaskan. If you are a young adult or student, you might be pleased to know that the average age of all Fairbanks residents is 28. If you are looking for a family friendly city, Fairbanks might be a good fit as 73% of the population over 15 years old are married, and 51% have kids who are 18 years old or younger.
Whether you’re moving to a new city to be closer to family, friends or for a new job, living in Fairbanks could be a positive experience compared to other cities in Alaska if you know where to search. Don't forget to determine what matters most to you in a neighborhood. Consider factors such as safety, proximity to work or school, access to amenities (like parks, fitness facilities, grocery stores, restaurants), public transportation options, community atmosphere and the overall vibe you're looking for. Finding the best places to live in Fairbanks and nearby areas is a much easier task when you can rely on information and data from the livability score, which includes amenities, employment, housing and other important metrics.
Using data and statistics Fairbanks has received a livability score of 56/100. This score is ranked in the 24th percentile when compared to all other cities. This is a poor rating when compared to the average of other places in the country. Based on the rankings for each individual category, Fairbanks has received high marks for housing (A). There are some categories that Fairbanks ranks poorly for, including: amenities (F), crime (F), cost of living (F) and education (D). It might be worth taking a closer look to determine why.
A healthy real estate market serves as a key economic indicator. It could signify overall local economic strength, stability and reflects consumer confidence in the area. Based on multiple factors including: median home and rental prices, appreciation rates and home affordability, Fairbanks has received high marks in the housing category. Based on these calculations, the apartment rental and real estate market appears to be very healthy.
Certain items on your wish list like shopping, restaurants, nightlife, parks and proximity to public transportation are all important things to look for. Having said that, perhaps the most important metric to consider when contemplating a move to Fairbanks is real estate affordability. Median real estate prices in Fairbanks come in at $200,200, which is 22.1% lower than the Alaska average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In Fairbanks, the home price to income ratio is 3.6, which is 2.9% higher than the Alaska average.
| Statistic | Fairbanks | Alaska | National |
| Average one way commute | 14min | 19min | 26min |
| Workers who drive to work | 69.0% | 68.1% | 76.4% |
| Workers who carpool | 17.6% | 12.5% | 9.3% |
| Workers who take public transit | 1.0% | 1.5% | 5.1% |
| Workers who bicycle | 1.0% | 1.0% | 0.6% |
| Workers who walk | 5.6% | 7.9% | 2.8% |
| Working from home | 4.5% | 4.6% | 4.6% |
| Walk | Bike | Compact | Car | S.U.V. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Distance | |||||
| Duration | |||||
| Cost/Month |
Here are the best places to live in Alaska
Check out the 10 safest cities in Alaska
10 best cities to buy a new house in Alaska
These are the 10 most affordable cities in Alaska