Performance
Score Breakdown
Houston
Fairbanks
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Houston is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
40% lower compared to Fairbanks.
Housing costs are a major driver: Houston's average rent is
10% lower than Fairbanks's.
| Metric | Houston | Fairbanks | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,199 | $1,330 | -10% |
| Groceries | $400 | $858 | -53% |
| Utilities | $180 | $617 | -71% |
| Transport | $120 | $447 | -73% |
| Healthcare | $150 | $190 | -21% |
| Monthly Total | $2,049 | $3,442 | -40% |
| Cost Index | 97 | 123 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Houston offers 146% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Houston delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Houston is estimated at
$55,000 vs $53,196 in Fairbanks.
| Metric | Houston | Fairbanks |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $98,122 | $39,915 |
| Salary Needed | $55,000 | $53,196 |
| Purchasing Power | 101,157 idx | 32,451 idx |
| Household Income | $64,361 | $73,534 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Houston | Fairbanks |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 80.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Fairbanks has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
5,500 minutes (92 hours) per year compared to Houston.
Houston scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Houston leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Houston | Fairbanks |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 30 min | 19 min |
| Transit Score | 45.0/10 | 24.0/10 |
| Walkability | 40.0/10 | 32.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 77.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Houston is the larger city
— approximately 74.5x the population of Fairbanks.
From a growth perspective, Houston is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
| Metric | Houston | Fairbanks |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,390,125 | 32,083 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.20% | % |
| Median Age | 34.4 | 29.0 |
| Unemployment | 4.40% | 4.40% |
| GDP | $697.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Houston
Advantages
Houston's cost of living is below the national average, particularly for housing.
The city boasts a strong and diversified job market with significant growth in sectors like energy, healthcare, and construction.
Houston is home to the Texas Medical Center, the largest medical center in the world, offering world-class healthcare facilities and expertise.
The metropolitan area's GDP reached a record $697 billion in 2023, leading major U.S. metros in two-year GDP growth.
New business announcements increased by 30% in 2024, indicating a dynamic entrepreneurial environment.
Drawbacks
Houston experiences hot and humid summers with a heat index frequently reaching 100-110°F or higher.
Traffic congestion is a significant issue, with commuters losing an average of 77 hours due to delays in 2024.
The city has a high crime rate compared to many other U.S. communities, with a 1 in 17 chance of becoming a victim of violent or property crime.
Houston is highly car-dependent, with public transportation not being the primary mode of transit for most residents.
While homicides decreased in 2024, overall violent crime increased by 4.57% from 2023 to 2024.
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.
Houston
#31Texas, USA
70.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,199
Avg Salary
$98,122
Cost Index
97
Commute
30 min
Transit Score
45.0/10
Walkability
40.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.20%
Unemployment
4.40%
Livability
68
Business
78
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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