salaryRent is higher than in 50% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 3.3 years of household income. Commutes are short, about 16 minutes.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $66,120 a year. That is $32 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other Alaska cities?
No. Rent here is more expensive than in most of Alaska. It is number 15 of 24 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in College?
Share of households by yearly income. 33.2% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in College
| Size | College | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $711 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,399 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,603 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $2,663 | $1,698 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is College overall?
Everyday prices in the Fairbanks-College metro area are 3% above the U.S. average (index 103.2, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024.
Taxes and bills in College
Life in College
What jobs pay in College
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacist | $173,340 | 11.4% |
| Physician Assistant | $164,910 | 12.0% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $144,300 | 13.7% |
| Dental Hygienist | $131,860 | 15.0% |
| Lawyer | $129,660 | 15.3% |
| Operations Manager | $114,990 | 17.3% |
| Civil Engineer | $111,080 | 17.9% |
| Police Officer | $105,370 | 18.8% |
| Software Developer | $101,260 | 19.6% |
| Electrician | $97,860 | 20.3% |
| Plumber | $96,670 | 20.5% |
| HVAC Technician | $93,820 | 21.1% |
| Carpenter | $84,970 | 23.3% |
| Accountant | $82,500 | 24.0% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $80,530 | 24.6% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $79,160 | 25.1% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $76,690 | 25.9% |
| Truck Driver | $76,560 | 25.9% |
| Market Research Analyst | $56,920 | 34.8% |
| Medical Assistant | $52,140 | 38.0% |
| Firefighter | $50,840 | 39.0% |
| Customer Service Representative | $44,980 | 44.1% |
| Warehouse Worker | $44,820 | 44.3% |
| Restaurant Cook | $40,150 | 49.4% |
| Retail Salesperson | $37,550 | 52.8% |
| Cashier | $37,340 | 53.1% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $26,530 | 74.8% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in College?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $411 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $297,500 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $29,750 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in College, AK?
Renting in College costs a median of about $1,653 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Alaska median is $1,651.
How much do I need to make to live in College?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $66,120 a year, or $32 an hour at a full-time job.
Is College cheap or expensive?
College is rated OK: rent takes 21.9% of the typical household income of $90,481. It ranks 15th cheapest of 24 Alaska cities we track.
How much are property taxes in College?
The median homeowner in College pays $3,697 a year in property taxes, about 1.24% of the median home value.
Is College more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in the metro area are 3% above the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in College?
The median home value in College is $297,500, about 3.3 times the typical yearly household income.
11,924 people live in College. Numbers are typical (middle) values.