Fairbanks 56 Below average
Fairbanks Livability #86 ranked city in Alaska#21,974 ranked city in the USARanks better than 24% of areas

Pros and Cons of Living in Fairbanks

PROS
  • Housing

    High scores in the housing category are attributed to this area, possibly pointing to a favorable home affordability ratio, robust appreciation rates or elevated home values.

CONS
  • Amenities

    A large portion of amenities are not ideally situated within walking distance, potentially requiring residents to utilize a vehicle or public transportation.

  • Commute

    Access to public transportation in this particular area may be limited, which can result in longer-than-average commute times to reach workplaces.

  • Cost Of Living

    The cost of living in this area is notably high, making it a more expensive place to live. You'll find higher expenses for everyday goods and services, housing and groceries.

  • Crime

    This area exhibits elevated crime rates per 100,000 residents, which may suggest it's a potentially unsafe place to reside. These rates encompass both property and violent crimes.

  • Health & Safety

    A low health and safety score may be attributed to factors such as subpar air quality and the unavailability of certain health-related facilities like hospitals, clinics, doctors and pharmacies.

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What's it like Living in Fairbanks?

Fairbanks, Alaska is a moderately-sized city with a population of 31,427 residents. If we take a look at the last Census, the vast majority of the population falls within one racial group (67% White). Given that fact, Fairbanks could be considered less diverse than other cities. The median age of all Fairbanks residents is 28, which is well below the national average. This is a good indication that this city could be ideal for a younger demographic. If you are not a fan of long commutes, you will enjoy living in Fairbanks. With an average one way commute time of only 14 minutes, getting to and from work is a breeze compared to the national average of 26 minutes.

If you’re considering moving to any new city, it could be a very discouraging task. However, it could also be a positive experience if you are willing to get to know the area before actually living in Fairbanks, Alaska. When searching for a new neighborhood, several key items should be considered. Safety is of utmost importance, ensuring a secure environment with low crime. Proximity to your workplace or school helps reduce commuting time and offers convenience. Access to amenities such as parks, grocery stores, and healthcare facilities enhances your daily life. Public transportation options contribute to easy mobility. A sense of community fosters a supportive and engaging environment. Lastly, the overall atmosphere should align with your desired lifestyle, ensuring a fulfilling living experience. Considering these items will guide you towards finding the perfect neighborhood that fits all your needs. To help you find the best places to live in and around Fairbanks, AreaVibes has created a livability score using key metrics like amenities, crime, cost of living and more.

With a livability score of 55 out of 100, Fairbanks is ranked #22,273 in the United States and #92 in Alaska. This score ranks well below the United States average. With such a low livability score, it might be worth investigating a little further. If we explore each of the categories individually, we see that Fairbanks ranks well for housing (A-). Regrettably for Fairbanks, there are some categories for which it does not score well, this includes: amenities (F), crime (F), cost of living (F) and education (D-).

For home buyers, real estate will be the largest purchase they will ever make and it will also be their most valuable asset. For renters, the monthly rent paid on their Fairbanks apartments will most likely be their largest expense. Based on tangible metrics like home and rental affordability and appreciation rates, housing in this area has received a score that is well above the average of every other US city. A thriving real estate market can also generate strong local economic activity and job creation.

Being close to public transit, grocery stores, parks and other conveniences are all important when weighing your options for a new home in Fairbanks. Before you determine if any of these amenities are available in the area, you will also want to know if the real estate prices in Fairbanks are affordable. Median real estate prices in Fairbanks come in at $217,700, which is 15.3% 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 3.4, which is 2.9% lower than the Alaska average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Fairbanks

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How Do You Rate The Livability In Fairbanks?

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Compare Fairbanks, AK Livability

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      Fairbanks transportation information

      Statistic Fairbanks Alaska National
      Average one way commute14min19min26min
      Workers who drive to work69.0%68.1%76.4%
      Workers who carpool17.6%12.5%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit1.0%1.5%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle1.0%1.0%0.6%
      Workers who walk5.6%7.9%2.8%
      Working from home4.5%4.6%4.6%
      Source: The Fairbanks, AK data and statistics displayed above are derived from the United States Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).