Signals
Fairbanks-College
Rifle
Growth
40 · Bottom 34%
vs62 · Top 30%
Climate
38 · Bottom 1%
vs53 · Bottom 7%
Physical resilience
28 · Bottom 17%
vs27 · Bottom 16%
Housing affordability
92 · Bottom 42%
vs63 · Bottom 7%
Access
71 · Bottom 39%
vs80 · Top 43%
Economic stability
80 · Top 14%
vs80 · Top 14%
Measured values
| Metric | Fairbanks-College | Rifle | Source period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 95,460 | 79,464 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median household income | $88,267 | $95,635 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Per capita income | $45,905 | $57,270 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Population density | 13/sq mi | 20/sq mi | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median home value | $298,200 | $595,100 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median gross rent | $1,459 | $1,716 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Homeownership rate | 61.7% | 67.7% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 33.1% | 40.8% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Poverty rate | 6.1% | 8.1% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Housing units permitted (12 months) | 21 | 246 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permits per 1,000 residents | 0.2 | 3.1 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permit change (year over year) | 110.0% | 46.4% | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Average July high | 68°F | 92°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Average January low | -2°F | 13°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Annual precipitation | 15.0" | 10.7" | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Distance to major airport | 41 mi | 41 mi | NASR current cycle |
| Average commute | 20.5 min | 30.9 min | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median age | 32.5 | 39.3 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
A bolded value is the more favorable of the two where the metric has a clear direction. Metrics like population and density have no inherent better or worse and are shown unweighted.
Physical risk tradeoff
Fairbanks-College
Elevated or high exposure: wildfire, earthquake.
Rifle
Elevated or high exposure: wildfire, inland flooding.
Your best match
Weight what matters to you. Your preferences stay in this browser and never change either Area Score.
Fairbanks-College
59
Your Score
56
Area Score
Rifle
61
Your Score
—
Area Score
Select your priorities to see which of the two fits them better.
Full profiles: Fairbanks-College, AK Metro Area · Rifle, CO Micro Area · How this is calculated: methodology