Photo by Josh McCausland on Unsplash (https://unsplash.com/@joshmccausland)
Fairbanks, Alaska Retirement Guide
established retirement community
62
Retirement Score
Fairbanks, Alaska at a Glance
- Median Home Price
- $262,000
- State Income Tax
- No state income tax; Social Security and pension income fully exempt.
- Avg January Low
- -4.4°F
- Cost of Living Index
- 102.1 (US avg = 100)
- Best For
- established retirement community
- RetireCityIQ Score
- 62 / 100
Retirement Data
Affordability
Cost of Living Index
102.1 (U.S. avg = 100)Medium confidence
BEA Regional Price Parities · Updated March 2026
Median Home Price
$262,000High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated April 2026
Median Monthly Rent
$1,404High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated April 2026
Taxes
Retirement Tax Score
100 / 100Medium confidence
Tax Foundation · Updated March 2026
Tax Details
No state income tax; Social Security and pension income fully exempt.Medium confidence
Tax Foundation · Updated March 2026
Retiree Readiness (Sprint 2)
Care Access Score (proxy)
36.2 / 100High confidence
RetireCityIQ proxy model · Updated April 2026
Aging-in-Place Score (proxy)
63.4 / 100High confidence
RetireCityIQ proxy model · Updated April 2026
Healthcare
Healthcare Access Score
36.2 / 100Medium confidence
CMS Hospital General Information · Updated March 2026
Climate
Avg July High
72.9°FMedium confidence
Open-Meteo Historical Weather (ERA5) · Updated March 2026
Avg January Low
-4.4°FMedium confidence
Open-Meteo Historical Weather (ERA5) · Updated March 2026
Annual Precipitation
16.4"Medium confidence
Open-Meteo Historical Weather (ERA5) · Updated March 2026
Sunny Days / Year
186 daysMedium confidence
Open-Meteo Historical Weather (ERA5) · Updated March 2026
Safety
Safety Score
66 / 100Medium confidence
FBI Crime Data Explorer · Updated March 2026
Walkability
Walk Score (proxy)
80.7 / 100Medium confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year (B08301) · Updated March 2026
Transit Score (proxy)
4.4 / 100Medium confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year (B08301) · Updated March 2026
Demographics
Population
32,496High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated April 2026
Median Age
28.1High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated April 2026
Age 65+
10.8%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated April 2026
Median Household Income
$69,914High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated April 2026
Community Profile
Owner-Occupied Housing
37.6%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated April 2026
Veterans
12.2%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated April 2026
Bachelor's Degree+
26.5%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated April 2026
Poverty Rate
9.7%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated April 2026
Diversity
White
62.0%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated April 2026
Black
7.7%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated April 2026
Hispanic/Latino
11.1%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated April 2026
Asian
4.2%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated April 2026
10-Year Housing Stress Test (Estimate)
Estimate monthly homeowner carrying cost in Fairbanks using median home price and adjustable assumptions. Stress case applies +10% property tax, +20% insurance, +10% maintenance.
Estimated monthly carrying cost
$568
Stress-case monthly carrying cost
$638
Median home price used: $262,000
Median rent reference: $1,404 / month
Estimate includes property tax, insurance, maintenance reserve, and HOA. It excludes mortgage, utilities, and one-time transaction costs.