Performance
Score Breakdown
Toronto
Fairbanks
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Toronto is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
5% lower compared to Fairbanks.
Housing costs are a major driver: Toronto's average rent is
79% higher than Fairbanks's.
| Metric | Toronto | Fairbanks | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,375 | $1,330 | +79% |
| Groceries | $450 | $858 | -48% |
| Utilities | $220 | $617 | -64% |
| Transport | $120 | $447 | -73% |
| Healthcare | $100 | $190 | -47% |
| Monthly Total | $3,265 | $3,442 | -5% |
| Cost Index | 65 | 123 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Toronto offers 76% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Toronto delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Toronto is estimated at
$75,000 vs $53,196 in Fairbanks.
| Metric | Toronto | Fairbanks |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $70,205 | $39,915 |
| Salary Needed | $75,000 | $53,196 |
| Purchasing Power | 108,008 idx | 32,451 idx |
| Household Income | $70,325 | $73,534 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Toronto | Fairbanks |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 70.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Fairbanks has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
8,000 minutes (133 hours) per year compared to Toronto.
Toronto scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Toronto leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Toronto | Fairbanks |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 35 min | 19 min |
| Transit Score | 90.0/10 | 24.0/10 |
| Walkability | 61.0/10 | 32.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 70.00 | |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Toronto is the larger city
— approximately 104.7x the population of Fairbanks.
From a growth perspective, Toronto is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Fairbanks has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Toronto | Fairbanks |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 3,358,275 | 32,083 |
| Pop. Growth | 2.64% | % |
| Median Age | 29.0 | |
| Unemployment | 8.20% | 4.40% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Toronto
Advantages
Toronto General Hospital ranked as the second-best hospital globally in 2026, highlighting world-class healthcare.
The city boasts a high transit score of 90 and is ranked #1 in Canada for public transportation, with fare capping coming in September 2026.
Homicides in Toronto plummeted by approximately 55% in 2025, contributing to a high safety score of 84.
Toronto is a highly multicultural city, making it easy for immigrants to integrate and contributing to a vibrant community.
The city's population is projected to grow by 2.64% in 2026, indicating strong demographic momentum.
Drawbacks
Toronto has a high cost of living, with a cost of living index of 67.5 relative to New York City (100).
The unemployment rate in Toronto was 8.2% in May 2026, which is higher than the national average.
Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment is $2,097 USD and a 2-bedroom is $2,700 USD as of May 2026, indicating high housing costs.
The average commute time is around 35 minutes, and the city experiences chronic traffic congestion.
Childcare costs are very expensive, posing a significant financial burden for families.
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.
Toronto
#1Ontario, Canada
83.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,375
Avg Salary
$70,205
Cost Index
65
Commute
35 min
Transit Score
90.0/10
Walkability
61.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
2.64%
Unemployment
8.20%
Livability
75
Business
70
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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