Median rent is 11% lower in Fairbanks ($1,470/mo vs $1,655/mo). Buying is cheaper in Fairbanks, where the median home runs $255,700 versus $512,700. Households earn more in Austin ($91,461 vs $72,077 a year).
City A
Austin, TX
City B
Fairbanks, AK
How much would you need to earn in Fairbanks, AK to maintain your standard of living from Austin, TX?
A cost-of-living index isn't available for one of these cities yet, so we can't compute an equivalent salary.
Based on BEA Regional Price Parity (cost index) for each city's metro area. A rough estimate of overall purchasing power, not tax or take-home pay.
Metric
Austin
Texas
Fairbanks
Alaska
👥Population
💰Median Household Income
Annual
🏠Median Gross Rent
Per month
🏡Median Home Value
📊Cost of Living Index
US avg = 100
🔑1BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🔑2BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🔑3BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🌬️Air Quality Index
Lower = cleaner
🏛️Top State Income Tax
Top marginal rate
🧾State Sales Tax
Statewide base rate
🎂Median Age
Years
✓ = better value · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation
Median rent is modestly lower in Fairbanks at $1,470/mo compared to $1,655/mo in Austin (11% gap). Home buyers face a steeper market in Austin: the median home is $512,700 versus $255,700 in Fairbanks — 50% more expensive.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
Both Texas and Alaska have no state income tax — a notable advantage for workers in both cities. Sales tax is 6.25% in Texas and 0.00% in Alaska; Fairbanks has the lower rate (local add-ons may apply in both).
Austin
Income tax: None
Sales tax: 6.25%
Fairbanks
Income tax: None
Sales tax: None
Air quality data is available for Austin (avg AQI 47.0) but not yet for Fairbanks.
Pick Austin if you prioritize higher median household income ($91,461/yr).
Pick Fairbanks if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,470/mo median).
Is Austin cheaper than Fairbanks?
Cost of living index data is not yet available for one or both cities.
How much is rent in Austin vs Fairbanks?
Median rent is $1,655/mo in Austin, TX and $1,470/mo in Fairbanks, AK. Fairbanks, AK has the lower rent by about 11%.
Which has higher salaries — Austin or Fairbanks?
Median household income is $91,461 in Austin, TX and $72,077 in Fairbanks, AK. Austin, TX has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
Which city has better air quality?
Air quality data is not yet available for one or both cities.
Which has lower taxes — Austin or Fairbanks?
Both Texas and Alaska have no state income tax.
What salary do I need in Fairbanks to match my Austin income?
RPP data needed for salary equivalence calculation is not yet available.
Data last updated: December 1, 2024 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology