Performance
Score Breakdown
Aberdeen
Fairbanks
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Aberdeen is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
41% lower compared to Fairbanks.
Housing costs are a major driver: Aberdeen's average rent is
19% lower than Fairbanks's.
| Metric | Aberdeen | Fairbanks | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,081 | $1,330 | -19% |
| Groceries | $400 | $858 | -53% |
| Utilities | $180 | $617 | -71% |
| Transport | $120 | $447 | -73% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $190 | +32% |
| Monthly Total | $2,031 | $3,442 | -41% |
| Cost Index | 94 | 123 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Aberdeen offers 45% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Aberdeen delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Aberdeen is estimated at
$43,240 vs $53,196 in Fairbanks.
| Metric | Aberdeen | Fairbanks |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $57,742 | $39,915 |
| Salary Needed | $43,240 | $53,196 |
| Purchasing Power | 61,428 idx | 32,451 idx |
| Household Income | $64,405 | $73,534 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Aberdeen | Fairbanks |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | % | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Aberdeen has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,500 minutes (58 hours) per year compared to Fairbanks.
Fairbanks scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Aberdeen leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Aberdeen | Fairbanks |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 12 min | 19 min |
| Transit Score | 0.0/10 | 24.0/10 |
| Walkability | 39.0/10 | 32.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | ||
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Fairbanks is the larger city
— approximately 0.9x the population of Aberdeen.
From a growth perspective, Aberdeen is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Aberdeen has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Aberdeen | Fairbanks |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 28,189 | 32,083 |
| Pop. Growth | % | % |
| Median Age | 36.4 | 29.0 |
| Unemployment | 1.70% | 4.40% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Aberdeen
Advantages
Aberdeen boasts a significantly lower cost of living, estimated to be 6% below the U.S. national average in 2026.
The average commute time in Aberdeen is exceptionally short, at just 11.9 minutes as of 2024.
The violent crime rate is 72% below the national average, contributing to a high safety score.
Aberdeen has a high industry diversity of 98.7%, indicating strong economic stability.
Avera St. Luke's Hospital was recognized among America's 100 Best for Coronary Intervention in 2026, highlighting quality healthcare.
Drawbacks
Aberdeen's population is currently declining, with a projected annual rate of -0.37% in 2026.
The city is largely car-dependent, with a walkability score of 39 and limited public transit options.
Employment in Aberdeen declined by -2.54% from 2023 to 2024.
Winters in Aberdeen are described as freezing, snowy, and windy, with an average January low of 6°F.
Some healthcare facilities, like Sanford Aberdeen Medical Center, declined to respond to Leapfrog Group on several patient safety and equity measures.
Fairbanks
Advantages
Fairbanks offers abundant outdoor recreational activities, from hiking and fishing in summer to aurora viewing and winter sports.
The average commute time in Fairbanks is shorter than the national average, at 19.2 minutes.
Fairbanks Memorial Hospital is a high-performing facility with patient satisfaction rates above the national average.
Summers feature nearly 24 hours of daylight, providing unique opportunities for gardening and extended outdoor enjoyment.
The community is close-knit and family-friendly, with various local events and cultural heritage celebrations.
Drawbacks
Fairbanks has a high crime rate, significantly above the national average for both violent and property crimes.
The cost of living is 23% higher than the national average, primarily due to very high utility and grocery costs.
Winters are long, dark, and intensely cold, with temperatures regularly dipping well below freezing.
Public transportation options are limited, and the city has a low walkability score, making car dependency high.
Job opportunities outside of major sectors like military, healthcare, and education can be limited.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Aberdeen
#8South Dakota, USA
78.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,081
Avg Salary
$57,742
Cost Index
94
Commute
12 min
Transit Score
0.0/10
Walkability
39.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
1.70%
Livability
80
Business
75
Fairbanks
#42Alaska, USA
60.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,330
Avg Salary
$39,915
Cost Index
123
Commute
19 min
Transit Score
24.0/10
Walkability
32.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.40%
Livability
68
Business
65
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