AlaskaPop. 11,924Towns
Is College a Good Place to Live? College, Alaska: cost of living, crime, schools and rankings
College ranks #823 of the 1,312 US cities we track, #148 of 234 towns and #13 of 20 in Alaska. Against similar-size cities it stands out for low poverty (6.5%, #51 of 234) and short commutes (16 min, #54 of 234), and trails on high living costs (103.2, #202 of 230) and high rents ($1,454/mo, #181 of 231).
College by the numbers
The measures people check first, each with College's rank among the tracked cities and the US figure (or the similar-size median where there is no national figure).
No crime figure is shown for College: no police agency reports to the FBI for it alone. See Is College safe?
What is the cost of living in College?
College's cost of living index is 103.2, 3% above the US level of 100 and #867 of 1,308 cities with data (1 = cheapest). Median rent is $1,454/mo against $1,138/mo in similar-size cities. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $297,500.
| Measure | College | AlaskaAK | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cost of living indexBEA Regional Price Parities, metro area · rank 1 = cheapestSimilar-size 94.3 · US 100 | 103.2#867 of 1,308 | 102.4 | 94.3 | 100 |
| Median home value (Census)Census ACS · rank 1 = cheapestSimilar-size $280,200 | $297,500#523 of 1,309 | — | $280,200 | — |
| Median rent (Census)Census ACS · rank 1 = cheapestSimilar-size $1,138/mo | $1,454/mo#688 of 1,309 | — | $1,138/mo | — |
| Home value to incomeCensus ACS · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 3.7x | 3.5x#381 of 1,309 | — | 3.7x | — |
| Rent as a share of incomeCensus ACS · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 19.3% | 20.8%#547 of 1,309 | — | 19.3% | — |
Rank is among the tracked cities with data for that measure. Similar-size cities are the 234 places under 25,000 people we track (median). Alaska is the statewide figure. — means our sources have no statewide or national figure for that measure. Zillow figures track homes and rentals on the market now; Census figures are survey medians of all homes and leases, so the two differ.
Is College safe?
No police agency reports crime to the FBI for College alone, which is typical of places policed by a county sheriff, so we don't publish a College crime rate or rank it on safety. Alaska as a whole records 729 violent crimes per 100,000 residents against 328 nationally.
What do people earn in College?
The median household in College earns $83,895, 1% above the US figure of $83,163 and 12% below Alaska ($95,665). 6.5% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | College | AlaskaAK | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median household incomeCensus ACS · rank 1 = highestSimilar-size $73,239 · US $83,163 | $83,895#551 of 1,312 | $95,665 | $73,239 | $83,163 |
| Poverty rateCensus ACS · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 11.4% | 6.5%#212 of 1,312 | — | 11.4% | — |
Rank is among the tracked cities with data for that measure. Similar-size cities are the 234 places under 25,000 people we track (median). Alaska is the statewide figure. — means our sources have no statewide or national figure for that measure.
Who lives in College?
The median resident of College is 32.7 years old, against 38.6 in similar-size cities. 39.9% of adults have a bachelor's degree or more, #465 of 1,312 cities (1 = highest). 61% of occupied homes are lived in by their owners; the rest are rented.
| Measure | College | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median ageCensus ACSSimilar-size 38.6 | 32.7 | 38.6 | — |
| Adults with a bachelor's degree or moreCensus ACS · rank 1 = highestSimilar-size 29.2% | 39.9%#465 of 1,312 | 29.2% | — |
| Homes lived in by their ownerCensus ACSSimilar-size 65.1% | 61% | 65.1% | — |
Rank is among the tracked cities with data for that measure. Similar-size cities are the 234 places under 25,000 people we track (median). — means our sources have no national figure for that measure.
How are College's schools and health?
We have too few school records for College to describe its public schools. 35.4% of adults are obese and 8.4% have diabetes, against similar-size city medians of 34.5% and 10.7%.
| Measure | College | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adult obesityCDC PLACES · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 34.5% | 35.4%#807 of 1,311 | 34.5% | — |
| Adult diabetesCDC PLACES · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 10.7% | 8.4%#138 of 1,311 | 10.7% | — |
| Adults with frequent mental distressCDC PLACES · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 16.8% | 15.7%#363 of 1,311 | 16.8% | — |
| Adults without health insuranceCDC PLACES · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 8.6% | 8.7%#476 of 1,311 | 8.6% | — |
Rank is among the tracked cities with data for that measure. Similar-size cities are the 234 places under 25,000 people we track (median). — means our sources have no national figure for that measure.
What are the commute and weather like in College?
The average commute in College is 16 minutes (Alaska 19.8); 1.1% of workers take transit and 4.9% work from home. On the EPA's walkability index College scores 6.9 of 20 (below average walkable), #1246 of 1,312 cities (1 = most walkable). Summers average 58.8°F and winters -4.5°F, with 12.2 inches of precipitation a year.
| Measure | College | AlaskaAK | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average commuteCensus ACS · rank 1 = shortestSimilar-size 20.4 min | 16 min#97 of 1,312 | 19.8 min | 20.4 min | — |
| Commutes of an hour or moreCensus ACS · rank 1 = fewestSimilar-size 4.8% | 1.7%#30 of 1,312 | 5.2% | 4.8% | — |
| Drive alone to workCensus ACSSimilar-size 75% | 65.4% | 66.8% | 75% | — |
| Take transit to workCensus ACSSimilar-size 0.3% | 1.1% | 0.7% | 0.3% | — |
| Walk to workCensus ACSSimilar-size 2% | 12.2% | 6.5% | 2% | — |
| Bike to workCensus ACSSimilar-size 0% | 2.6% | 0.9% | 0% | — |
| Work from homeCensus ACSSimilar-size 9.5% | 4.9% | 8.4% | 9.5% | — |
| Walkability index (1 to 20)EPA National Walkability Index · rank 1 = most walkableSimilar-size 8.8 | 6.9#1246 of 1,312 | — | 8.8 | — |
Rank is among the tracked cities with data for that measure. Similar-size cities are the 234 places under 25,000 people we track (median). Alaska is the statewide figure. — means our sources have no statewide or national figure for that measure. The walkability index is the EPA's, averaged over the city's neighborhoods by population.
| Month | Average high (°F) | Average low (°F) | Precipitation (inches) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | -2.3 | -15.4 | 0.6 |
| Feb | 10.1 | -8.9 | 0.5 |
| Mar | 24.6 | -0.8 | 0.4 |
| Apr | 45.6 | 22.4 | 0.3 |
| May | 62 | 37.1 | 0.6 |
| Jun | 71 | 47.9 | 1.6 |
| Jul | 71.8 | 51.5 | 2.3 |
| Aug | 65 | 46 | 2.3 |
| Sep | 53.6 | 34.7 | 1.5 |
| Oct | 32.3 | 18 | 0.8 |
| Nov | 9.9 | -3.4 | 0.8 |
| Dec | 1.2 | -11.8 | 0.6 |
Top: average low to average high, °F. Bottom: precipitation, inches. NOAA 30-year climate normals at Fairbanks Airport #2.
| Measure | College | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average temperatureNOAA climate normalsSimilar-size 47.7°F | 27.6°F | 47.7°F | — |
| Summer average (Jun–Aug)NOAA climate normalsSimilar-size 69.6°F | 58.8°F | 69.6°F | — |
| Winter average (Dec–Feb)NOAA climate normalsSimilar-size 26.8°F | -4.5°F | 26.8°F | — |
| Precipitation a yearNOAA climate normalsSimilar-size 36.5 in | 12.2 in | 36.5 in | — |
Rank is among the tracked cities with data for that measure. Similar-size cities are the 234 places under 25,000 people we track (median). — means our sources have no national figure for that measure. NOAA 30-year climate normals at Fairbanks Airport #2.
What are the air quality and natural hazard risks in College?
Fairbanks North Star Borough's air had a median air quality index of 44, and 56% of measured days were rated good; 20 days were unhealthy for sensitive groups or worse, mostly from fine particles. Relative to other US counties, FEMA's National Risk Index puts Fairbanks North Star Borough's biggest natural hazard losses in earthquake, landslide, and wildfire, with expected yearly losses of 0.25% of building value, higher than 82% of US counties.
| Measure | College | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median air quality index (county)EPA Air Quality System · rank 1 = cleanestSimilar-size 38 | 44#571 of 1,138 | 38 | — |
| Unhealthy air days a year (county)EPA Air Quality System · rank 1 = fewestSimilar-size 1 | 20#971 of 1,138 | 1 | — |
| Yearly hazard losses, share of building value (county)FEMA National Risk Index · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 0.14% | 0.25%#1049 of 1,312 | 0.14% | — |
Rank is among the tracked cities with data for that measure. Similar-size cities are the 234 places under 25,000 people we track (median). — means our sources have no national figure for that measure. County figures for Fairbanks North Star Borough: the EPA measures air at monitors and FEMA estimates hazard losses by county, not by city.
Natural hazard losses, Fairbanks North Star Borough
| Hazard | Yearly loss | Higher than |
|---|---|---|
| Earthquake | 0.14% | 99% of counties |
| Landslide | 0.0016% | 97% of counties |
| Wildfire | 0.045% | 95% of counties |
| Winter weather | 0.0019% | 93% of counties |
| Inland flooding | 0.029% | 1% of counties |
FEMA National Risk Index: expected yearly building losses from each hazard as a share of the county's building value, compared with every US county exposed to that hazard. Loss rates, unlike FEMA's risk ratings, do not rise just because a county has more property.
How does College compare with similar-size cities?
College is one of 234 places under 25,000 people we track and ranks #148 of them on overall score. The table sets it beside the 8 cities in other states closest to its population of 11,924.
| City | Rank | Score | Income | Rent | Violent crime | Commute |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| College, AKPop. 11,924 | #823 | 52.9 | $83,895 | $1,454/mo | no data | 16 min |
| Valley Falls, RIPop. 12,657 | #515 | 57.9 | $92,901 | $1,362/mo | no data | 23.3 min |
| Pike Creek Valley, DEPop. 12,431 | #361 | 60.8 | $102,434 | $1,751/mo | no data | 20.7 min |
| Beatrice, NEPop. 12,225 | #916 | 51.5 | $57,264 | $758/mo | 73 | 15.6 min |
| Somersworth, NHPop. 12,111 | #362 | 60.8 | $74,504 | $1,477/mo | 114 | 25.8 min |
| Portales, NMPop. 11,968 | #1249 | 42.5 | $50,555 | $903/mo | 419 | 12.3 min |
| Vermillion, SDPop. 11,878 | #1081 | 48.4 | $50,456 | $764/mo | 185 | 16.9 min |
| Belgrade, MTPop. 11,872 | #389 | 60.3 | $97,328 | $1,877/mo | 331 | 24.6 min |
| Evanston, WYPop. 11,800 | #614 | 56.5 | $76,516 | $805/mo | 163 | 17.2 min |
Rank is overall rank of 1,312. Income is median household income; rent is Census median rent; violent crime is per 100,000 residents as reported to the FBI ("no data" and "incomplete" are explained on each city's page).
How does College compare with the rest of Alaska?
College ranks #13 of the 20 Alaska cities we track, with a score of 52.9 against Alaska's statewide 44.3. Its households earn 12% below the Alaska median.
| City | Rank in AK | Score | Income | Rent | Violent crime |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sitka, AKPop. 8,368 | #1 | 68.9 | $101,727 | $1,341/mo | 242 |
| Chena Ridge, AKPop. 5,881 | #2 | 64.9 | $133,775 | $1,110/mo | no data |
| Gateway, AKPop. 6,845 | #3 | 64.4 | $137,772 | $1,741/mo | no data |
| Juneau, AKPop. 31,794 | #4 | 63.5 | $101,661 | $1,444/mo | 487 |
| Bethel, AKPop. 6,312 | #5 | 60.8 | $117,255 | $1,678/mo | 1,278 |
| Sterling, AKPop. 6,323 | #6 | 58.8 | $102,415 | $1,248/mo | no data |
| Ketchikan, AKPop. 8,078 | #7 | 58.0 | $85,275 | $1,417/mo | 350 |
| Kenai, AKPop. 7,641 | #8 | 57.6 | $87,083 | $1,138/mo | 344 |
| Kalifornsky, AKPop. 8,663 | #9 | 55.3 | $93,508 | $1,394/mo | no data |
| South Lakes, AKPop. 6,180 | #10 | 54.8 | $98,141 | $1,178/mo | no data |
| North Lakes, AKPop. 10,223 | #11 | 54.4 | $101,679 | $1,441/mo | no data |
| Palmer, AKPop. 6,268 | #12 | 53.5 | $72,201 | $1,125/mo | 206 |
| College, AKPop. 11,924 | #13 | 52.9 | $83,895 | $1,454/mo | no data |
| Badger, AKPop. 18,677 | #14 | 52.0 | $97,183 | $1,629/mo | no data |
| Anchorage, AKPop. 288,976 | #15 | 51.9 | $103,284 | $1,489/mo | 1,027 |
| Tanaina, AKPop. 9,646 | #16 | 51.4 | $105,536 | $1,398/mo | no data |
| Fairbanks, AKPop. 32,083 | #17 | 49.2 | $73,534 | $1,496/mo | 843 |
| Knik-Fairview, AKPop. 19,972 | #18 | 48.8 | $96,437 | $1,588/mo | no data |
| Wasilla, AKPop. 9,720 | #19 | 47.6 | $67,234 | $1,153/mo | 432 |
| Meadow Lakes, AKPop. 8,689 | #20 | 44.6 | $81,699 | $1,377/mo | no data |
All 20 Alaska cities we track, by overall score. Alaska statewide: median income $95,665, violent crime 729.3 per 100,000.
How is College's score calculated?
College scores 52.9 out of 100, #823 of 1,312 (grade C+, which follows rank). It is scored on the 7 of 11 categories with local data; safety, education, growth, and outdoor access are left out rather than filled with Alaska's statewide figure, and the other weights are scaled up to fill the gap. Each score is compared with the median of similar-size cities, which are scored the same way.
- EconomyCity data, some inputs missing · 24% of score
Median household income and unemployment in College. One input is missing, so the score uses the others. Similar-size median 41.9.
42.5 - HealthCity data · 19% of score
Adult obesity, diabetes and frequent mental distress in College. Similar-size median 56.5.
61.3 - AffordabilityCity data · 16% of score
College's home values and rents and its metro area's price level. Similar-size median 74.8.
65.7 - Household financesCity data · 13% of score
Median household income and poverty rate in College. Similar-size median 50.8.
64.8 - TransportationCity data · 11% of score
Commute time, long commutes, driving alone, transit, walking, cycling and working from home in College. Similar-size median 48.3.
61.4 - WalkabilityCity data · 11% of score
The EPA's walkability index across College's neighborhoods. Similar-size median 41.1.
31.1 - EnvironmentCounty data · 6% of score
Air quality and natural hazard losses in the county. Similar-size median 59.2.
34.8 - SafetyNot scored
No FBI figures from a police agency serving College alone.
— - EducationNot scored
Too few school records for College.
— - GrowthNot scored
The Census does not estimate yearly population for College.
— - Outdoor accessNot scored
No city-level park or public land measure exists, so outdoor access is not scored for cities.
—
Bar: College's category score out of 100. Tick: median of the 234 places under 25,000 people we track. Shares of score are the category weights rescaled over the categories College has data for. City scores use city formulas and are not on the same scale as state scores. Grades follow rank among the 1,312 cities. Methodology
Frequently asked questions about living in College
Is College, AK a good place to live?
College ranks #823 of the 1,312 US cities we track, #148 of 234 towns and #13 of 20 in Alaska. Against similar-size cities it stands out for low poverty (6.5%, #51 of 234) and short commutes (16 min, #54 of 234), and trails on high living costs (103.2, #202 of 230) and high rents ($1,454/mo, #181 of 231).
What is the cost of living in College?
College's cost of living index is 103.2, 3% above the US level of 100 and #867 of 1,308 cities with data (1 = cheapest). Median rent is $1,454/mo against $1,138/mo in similar-size cities. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $297,500.
Is College safe?
No police agency reports crime to the FBI for College alone, which is typical of places policed by a county sheriff, so we don't publish a College crime rate or rank it on safety. Alaska as a whole records 729 violent crimes per 100,000 residents against 328 nationally.
What is the median household income in College?
The median household in College earns $83,895, 1% above the US figure of $83,163 and 12% below Alaska ($95,665). 6.5% of residents live below the poverty line.
How much is rent in College?
Median rent in College is $1,454/mo (Census), #688 of 1,309 cities with data (1 = cheapest). Median rent takes 20.8% of the median household's income.
How much does a house cost in College?
The Census median value of owner-occupied homes in College is $297,500, #523 of 1,309 cities with data (1 = cheapest).
How are the public schools in College?
We have too few school records for College to describe its public schools.
How long is the commute in College?
The average commute is 16 minutes, #97 of 1,312 cities (1 = shortest), against 19.8 minutes across Alaska. 1.7% of workers spend an hour or more getting to work.
What is the weather like in College?
College averages 27.6°F over the year, 58.8°F in summer and -4.5°F in winter, with 12.2 inches of precipitation. Figures are NOAA climate normals.
Is College walkable?
College scores 6.9 out of 20 on the EPA's National Walkability Index (below average walkable), #1246 of 1,312 cities (1 = most walkable). The index weighs street intersection density, distance to transit and the mix of homes and jobs in each neighborhood.
What natural disasters is College at risk for?
Relative to other US counties, FEMA's National Risk Index puts Fairbanks North Star Borough's biggest natural hazard losses in earthquake, landslide, and wildfire, with expected yearly losses of 0.25% of building value, higher than 82% of US counties.
How is the air quality in College?
Fairbanks North Star Borough's air had a median air quality index of 44, and 56% of measured days were rated good; 20 days were unhealthy for sensitive groups or worse, mostly from fine particles.
Who lives in College?
College has 11,924 residents. The median resident of College is 32.7 years old, against 38.6 in similar-size cities. 39.9% of adults have a bachelor's degree or more, #465 of 1,312 cities (1 = highest). 61% of occupied homes are lived in by their owners; the rest are rented.
How does College compare with the rest of Alaska?
College ranks #13 of the 20 Alaska cities we track, with a score of 52.9 against Alaska's statewide 44.3. Its households earn 12% below the Alaska median.
What cities are similar in size to College?
The tracked cities in other states closest to College's population of 11,924 are Valley Falls, RI (#515 overall), Pike Creek Valley, DE (#361 overall), Beatrice, NE (#916 overall), Somersworth, NH (#362 overall), and Portales, NM (#1249 overall). College is #823.