Is Anchorage or Fairbanks Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Anchorage is safer than Fairbanks (Safety Score 10/100 vs 8/100), with a total crime rate of 3,781 per 100,000 versus 4,167 for Fairbanks — 9% lower. Anchorage has higher rates in 2 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Fairbanks has a 33% lower rate.
Note: Anchorage is 9.1x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Anchorage — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Fairbanks — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Anchorage, AK
Fairbanks, AK
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Anchorage | Fairbanks | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,781.4 | 4,167.2 | -385.8 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 1,015.5 | 704.0 | +311.5 |
| Murder Rate | 9.4 | 6.3 | +3.1 |
| Rape Rate | 161.0 | 120.0 | +41.0 |
| Robbery Rate | 166.9 | 132.6 | +34.3 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 677.5 | 438.8 | +238.6 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,765.9 | 3,463.2 | -697.3 |
| Burglary Rate | 317.1 | 296.8 | +20.4 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,025.7 | 2,847.6 | -821.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 423.1 | 318.9 | +104.2 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Anchorage or Fairbanks safer?
Anchorage is safer with a total crime rate of 3,781 per 100K vs 4,167 for Fairbanks — a 9% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Anchorage has a violent crime rate of 1,015.5 per 100K while Fairbanks has 704.0. Fairbanks has lower violent crime.
About Anchorage, AK
Anchorage, Alaska's largest city, is nestled between the Chugach Mountains and Cook Inlet. This geographically isolated hub, home to over 40% of Alaska's population, famously rebuilt after the devastating 1964 earthquake. With a safety score of 10/100 and a population coverage of 286,958, Anchorage has a total crime rate of 3,781.4 per 100,000 residents.
About Fairbanks, AK
Fairbanks, Alaska, a city founded on gold mining, sits just 190 miles south of the Arctic Circle. Its population of roughly 32,000 residents experiences extreme seasonal light variations, from near-total darkness to the midnight sun. With a safety score of 8/100 and a population coverage of 31,676, Fairbanks has a total crime rate of 4,167.2 per 100,000 residents.