Albany GA vs Anchorage AK — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Albany, GA
Georgia · Population: 67,939
- Median HH Income$45,201
- Median Home Price$131,279
- Unemployment11.5%
- Bachelor's+21.5%
Anchorage, AK
Alaska · Population: 289,069
- Median HH Income$98,152
- Median Home Price$414,014
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+37.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Albany
67,939
Anchorage
289,069
Anchorage +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albany
N/A
Anchorage
N/A
Median Age
Albany
35.1
Anchorage
34.9
Anchorage +
Foreign Born
Albany
1.7%
Anchorage
10.9%
Anchorage +
White
Albany
18.9%
Anchorage
58.3%
Anchorage +
Black
Albany
76.3%
Albany +
Anchorage
5.3%
Asian
Albany
0.7%
Anchorage
9.8%
Anchorage +
Hispanic
Albany
2.5%
Anchorage
9.3%
Anchorage +
Spanish at Home
Albany
N/A
Anchorage
N/A
| Metric | Albany, GA | Anchorage, AK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 67,939 | 289,069 | Anchorage + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 34.9 | Anchorage + |
| Foreign Born | 1.7% | 10.9% | Anchorage + |
| White | 18.9% | 58.3% | Anchorage + |
| Black | 76.3% | 5.3% | Albany + |
| Asian | 0.7% | 9.8% | Anchorage + |
| Hispanic | 2.5% | 9.3% | Anchorage + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albany
$45,201
Anchorage
$98,152
Anchorage +
Per Capita Income
Albany
$24,527
Anchorage
$49,338
Anchorage +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albany
$57,405
Anchorage
$69,233
Anchorage +
Unemployment Rate
Albany
11.5%
Anchorage
4.6%
Anchorage +
Poverty Rate
Albany
29.2%
Anchorage
9.3%
Anchorage +
Bachelor's Degree+
Albany
21.5%
Anchorage
37.7%
Anchorage +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Anchorage, AK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $45,201 | $98,152 | Anchorage + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,527 | $49,338 | Anchorage + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $69,233 | Anchorage + |
| Unemployment Rate | 11.5% | 4.6% | Anchorage + |
| Poverty Rate | 29.2% | 9.3% | Anchorage + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.5% | 37.7% | Anchorage + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albany
$131,279
Albany +
Anchorage
$414,014
Homeownership Rate
Albany
39.3%
Anchorage
63.7%
Anchorage +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Anchorage, AK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $131,279 | $414,014 | Albany + |
| Homeownership Rate | 39.3% | 63.7% | Anchorage + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
392
Albany +
Anchorage
780
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
1752
Albany +
Anchorage
1849
| Metric | Albany, GA | Anchorage, AK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 780 | Albany + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1849 | Albany + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
43.0%
Anchorage
35.2%
Anchorage +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
19.2%
Anchorage
9.0%
Anchorage +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albany
20.4%
Anchorage
16.4%
Anchorage +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albany
16.8%
Anchorage
9.7%
Anchorage +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albany
11.1%
Albany +
Anchorage
18.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albany
19.3%
Anchorage
14.4%
Anchorage +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Anchorage, AK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 43.0% | 35.2% | Anchorage + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 9.0% | Anchorage + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.4% | 16.4% | Anchorage + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 9.7% | Anchorage + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 18.0% | Albany + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 19.3% | 14.4% | Anchorage + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
66.2°F
Anchorage
37.0°F
Anchorage +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
51.4 in
Anchorage
16.7 in
Anchorage +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Anchorage, AK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.2°F | 37.0°F | Anchorage + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.4 in | 16.7 in | Anchorage + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albany
9.8 µg/m³
Anchorage
7.6 µg/m³
Anchorage +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albany
55.0%
Anchorage
75.0%
Anchorage +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Anchorage, AK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 7.6 µg/m³ | Anchorage + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Anchorage + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albany
22.0 min
Anchorage
20.4 min
Anchorage +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Anchorage, AK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 20.4 min | Anchorage + |
Which City is Right for You?
Anchorage leads in median household income at $98,152, while albany offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $131,279. On public safety, Albany is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 780 in Anchorage. Anchorage has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Anchorage has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Anchorage scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.2%.
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