Fairbanks, Alaska, a.k.a. the Golden Heart City is a small city straddling two of Alaska’s wild rivers, the Chena and Tanana. A haven for nature lovers, especially adventurous fly fishermen, Fairbanks is a destination for outdoor enthusiasts. With its subarctic climate and long winters, Fairbanks is not for the faint of heart!
Compared to the national average income of $44,148, Fairbanks has a relatively high average salary of $55,229. Despite this seeming boon, Fairbanks sees its share of hardship on the rise. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Fairbanks has a 6.3% unemployment rate versus 3.9% nationally in November 2017. Additionally, Fairbanks has a 13.1% poverty rate, slightly above the national rate of 12.7%. With the average rent at $1800 per month and an average home price of $200,628, Fairbanks isn’t a cheap place to live.