Frigid winter temperatures and high energy costs in the interior city of Fairbanks may deter some from considering the locale as a place to settle down, but another aspect of life in Fairbanks may appeal to those looking to thrive in a weak economy.
A study analyzing wage and salary data from the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics reveals that Fairbanks saw the largest wage increase in the U.S. between 2010 and 2011.
Atlantic Cities reports that the Martin Prosperity Institute analyzed the data and found that 94 percent of U.S. metros saw wage and salary increases between 2010 and 2011, but that those increases varied widely. While San Jose topped the list of wage raises in large metros (more than 1 million people), with an average raise of $2,030. Fairbanks topped the overall list, with an average raise of $2,700.
More good news for Fairbanks? Fairbanks was the only metro under 1 million people to top $50,000 in its average wages in 2010 and 2011.
The second highest wage-raise in 2011 was Bloomington, Indiana, with an average raise of $2,460. In third place was Iowa City, Iowa, at $2,330.
Read more, here.