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Fairbanks-College, AK

Cost of living in Fairbanks North Star Borough, AK

Part of the Fairbanks Metro Area

Estimated monthly cost
$3,326/mo
for a single person, all categories combined

Population 95,555 · Last updated May 21, 2026

Cost breakdown

Single person, by category, per month.

Rent $1,272 38%
Federal tax $621 19%
Healthcare $480 14%
Groceries $368 11%
Transport $320 10%
Energy $205 6%
Water $60 2%
State tax $0 0%

Rent in Fairbanks North Star Borough

Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Studio
$1,144
per month
1 bedroom
$1,272
per month
2 bedroom
$1,669
per month
3 bedroom
$2,339
per month
4 bedroom
$2,803
per month

Source: HUD FMR FY2025

Income and earnings in Fairbanks North Star Borough

Annual earnings figures from the Census ACS.

Household income
$84,722
per year
Individual earnings
$48,026
per year
Per capita
$44,666
per year

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year.

Home values in Fairbanks North Star Borough

Average values reported by homeowners.

Average home value
$282,500
Annual property tax
$3,570

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year

Energy costs in Fairbanks North Star Borough

Estimated monthly electricity and gas costs.

Electricity
$139
per month · 24.4¢/kWh
Natural gas
$66
per month
Annual total
$2,460
per year

Source: EIA

Healthcare in Fairbanks North Star Borough

Insurance premiums and coverage rates.

Individual premium
$480
per month
Family premium
$1,350
per month
Uninsured rate
9.0%

Source: ACS + national avg. Marketplace benchmark premiums are second-lowest Silver plan estimates and do not reflect employer plans, subsidies, or out-of-pocket costs. This is not healthcare advice.

Taxes in Fairbanks North Star Borough

State and local tax rates for Alaska.

No state income tax
Alaska does not levy a personal income tax.
State sales tax
0.0%
Combined sales tax
1.8%
incl. average local

Tax rates change. Consult a qualified tax professional for advice on your specific situation. This is not tax advice.

Transportation in Fairbanks North Star Borough

Commute patterns and estimated costs.

Average commute
19.9 min
Drive alone
72.5%
Public transit
0.9%
Work from home
6.4%

Source: ACS

Monthly cost estimates for Fairbanks North Star Borough

What it costs to live in Fairbanks North Star Borough each month.

Single person
$3,326
per month
  • Rent $1,272
  • Energy $205
  • Water $60
  • Groceries $368
  • Transport $320
  • Healthcare $480
  • Federal tax $621
  • State tax $0
Couple
$4,936
per month
  • Rent $1,669
  • Energy $246
  • Water $70
  • Groceries $610
  • Transport $420
  • Healthcare $864
  • Federal tax $1,057
  • State tax $0
Family
$7,784
per month
  • Rent $2,339
  • Energy $308
  • Water $85
  • Groceries $925
  • Transport $520
  • Healthcare $1,350
  • Childcare $1,200
  • Federal tax $1,057
  • State tax $0

Frequently asked questions about Fairbanks North Star Borough

Common questions about cost of living, rent and salary.

What is the average rent in Fairbanks North Star Borough?

In Fairbanks North Star Borough, AK, a one-bedroom apartment averages $1,272 per month, a two-bedroom averages $1,669 per month, a three-bedroom averages $2,339 per month, according to HUD Fair Market Rent data.

What is the average salary in Fairbanks North Star Borough?

In Fairbanks North Star Borough, AK, the average household income is $84,722 per year and individual earnings for full-time workers average $48,026 per year, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

What is the cost of living in Fairbanks North Star Borough?

The estimated cost of living in Fairbanks North Star Borough, AK is approximately $3,326 per month for a single person, $4,936 for a couple, $7,784 for a family. This includes rent, utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, and taxes.

What is the sales tax rate in Fairbanks North Star Borough?

The combined sales tax rate in Fairbanks North Star Borough, AK is 1.82%, which includes the Alaska state rate of 0.00% plus an average local rate of 1.82%.

Is Fairbanks North Star Borough an affordable place to live?

Based on the data, a single person in Fairbanks North Star Borough, AK would need approximately $3,326 per month to cover rent, utilities, food, transport, healthcare, and taxes. The average household income is $84,722 per year ($7,060 per month). Fairbanks North Star Borough is relatively affordable compared to the national average.

How much does healthcare cost in Fairbanks North Star Borough?

The ACA marketplace benchmark premium in Fairbanks North Star Borough, AK is approximately $480 per month for an individual. Approximately 9.0% of residents are uninsured. Actual costs vary based on employer coverage, plan type, and individual circumstances.

What are house prices in Fairbanks North Star Borough?

The average home value in Fairbanks North Star Borough, AK is $282,500, with average annual property taxes of $3,570, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

How does Fairbanks North Star Borough compare to other areas?

You can compare Fairbanks North Star Borough, AK with any other US county using our comparison tool at /compare. Fairbanks North Star Borough is in the Fairbanks-College, AK metro area.

Other counties in Alaska

Browse the full list of counties in Alaska, ranked by cost of living.

See all counties in Alaska

Compare Fairbanks North Star Borough with another area

Put two counties side by side to see how rent, taxes and everyday costs stack up.

About this data

All figures on this page come from official U.S. government sources, listed below.

  • HUD FMR FY2025
  • ACS 2019-2023 5-Year
  • EIA
  • ACS + national avg
  • ACS
  • USDA + BEA RPP
Methodology All data sources