Cost of Living Comparison Between Fairbanks, AK and Ridgecrest, CA Cost of Living Comparison Between Fairbanks, AK and Ridgecrest, CA

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,108 per month in Fairbanks, AK vs $2,495 in Ridgecrest, CA, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,296 per month in Fairbanks, AK vs $3,912 in Ridgecrest, CA, rent included.

A family of three spends $5,485 per month in Fairbanks, AK vs $5,329 in Ridgecrest, CA, rent included.

Fairbanks, AK costs about 25% more than Ridgecrest, CA, driven mainly by Sport & Entertainment.

Both Fairbanks, AK and Ridgecrest, CA sit above the global median – Fairbanks, AK by 132%, Ridgecrest, CA by 86%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$25.17 $25.17

$24.84 $24.84

1.33%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$89.0 $89.0

$100 $100

-11.19%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$13.98 $13.98

$14.74 $14.74

-5.16%

Cappuccino

$5.88 $5.88

$5.85 $5.85

0.51%

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.87 $2.87

$2.92 $2.92

-1.71%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.04 $2.04

$2.02 $2.02

0.99%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$7.91 $7.91

$7.80 $7.80

1.41%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$10.07 $10.07

$9.77 $9.77

3.07%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.14 $1.14

$1.31 $1.31

-12.98%

White Bread (500g)

$5.18 $5.18

$5.01 $5.01

3.39%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.16 $5.16

$7.57 $7.57

-31.84%

Eggs

$4.39 $4.39

$5.51 $5.51

-20.33%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$17.64 $17.64

$23.47 $23.47

-24.84%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$16.64 $16.64

$17.32 $17.32

-3.93%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$20.74 $20.74

$29.24 $29.24

-29.07%

Apples (1kg)

$7.82 $7.82

$7.27 $7.27

7.57%

Banana (1kg)

$2.80 $2.80

$2.92 $2.92

-4.11%

Oranges (1kg)

$6.76 $6.76

$5.80 $5.80

16.55%

Tomato (1kg)

$7.47 $7.47

$4.58 $4.58

63.10%

Potato (1kg)

$3.92 $3.92

$2.92 $2.92

34.25%

Onion (1kg)

$4.75 $4.75

$5.79 $5.79

-17.96%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.92 $2.92

$3.96 $3.96

-26.26%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.02 $2.02

$3.03 $3.03

-33.33%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$11.23 $11.23

$12.78 $12.78

-12.13%

Wine (Bottle)

$12.04 $12.04

$15.88 $15.88

-24.18%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.71 $1.71

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.99 $0.99

$4.02 $4.02

-75.37%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.46 $1.46

$1.98 $1.98

-26.26%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$40.16 $40.16

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.59 $3.59

$5.93 $5.93

-39.46%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$2.23 $2.23

$1.63 $1.63

36.81%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$44.52 $44.52

$51.4 $51.4

-13.35%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.05 $1.05

$1.29 $1.29

-18.60%

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$30.0K $30.0K

$35.5K $35.5K

-15.49%

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$26.0K $26.0K

$25.4K $25.4K

2.65%

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$169 $169

$232 $232

-27.23%

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$60.5 $60.5

$62.7 $62.7

-3.62%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$116 $116

$77.6 $77.6

49.41%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$98.5 $98.5

$32.47 $32.47

203.39%

Cinema Ticket

$17.27 $17.27

$9.70 $9.70

78.04%

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$1,202 $1,202

$1,416 $1,416

-15.09%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$23.3K $23.3K

$36.7K $36.7K

-36.44%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$59.8 $59.8

$69.0 $69.0

-13.40%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$39.83 $39.83

$45.94 $45.94

-13.30%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$85.2 $85.2

$104 $104

-17.95%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$120 $120

$142 $142

-14.95%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,655 $1,655

$912 $912

81.42%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,529 $1,529

$888 $888

72.19%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,223 $2,223

$1,886 $1,886

17.86%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,014 $2,014

$1,820 $1,820

10.69%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,045 $2,045

$13.0K $13.0K

-84.26%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,013 $2,013

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$3,884 $3,884

$5,405 $5,405

-28.14%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.53

6.68

-2.25%

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for Fairbanks, AK: June 2, 2026

Last update for Ridgecrest, CA: May 30, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $1,655 in Fairbanks, AK versus $912 in Ridgecrest, CA. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

Salaries run about 39% higher in Ridgecrest, CA, which reinforces the cost advantage – you earn more and spend less. Purchasing power leans clearly in its favor.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $89.0 in Fairbanks, AK versus $100 in Ridgecrest, CA. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $512 vs $581 – making Fairbanks, AK the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated April 2026)

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

Fairbanks, AK vs Ridgecrest, CA: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Yes – Fairbanks, AK is pricier by about 25%, and the gap shows up most in Sport & Entertainment. It's not just housing either; the difference applies across most spending categories.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,662 per month in Fairbanks, AK and $3,742 in Ridgecrest, CA. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Ridgecrest, CA, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.

Monthly expenses with rent come to $3,108 in Fairbanks, AK and $2,495 in Ridgecrest, CA. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.

Kindergarten costs $1,202 per month in Fairbanks, AK and $1,416 in Ridgecrest, CA. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.

A $2,500 monthly budget goes further in Ridgecrest, CA, where all-in costs run around $2,495, than in Fairbanks, AK at $3,108. In Ridgecrest, CA it covers expenses comfortably, while in Fairbanks, AK it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.

Families tend to lean toward Ridgecrest, CA – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.

If budget matters most, go with Ridgecrest, CA. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Fairbanks, AK makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.