Anchorage AK vs Asheville NC — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Anchorage, AK
Alaska · Population: 289,069
- Median HH Income$98,152
- Median Home Price$414,014
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+37.7%
Asheville, NC
North Carolina · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$461,425
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Anchorage
289,069
Asheville
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Anchorage
N/A
Asheville
N/A
Median Age
Anchorage
34.9
Asheville
N/A
Foreign Born
Anchorage
10.9%
Asheville
N/A
White
Anchorage
58.3%
Asheville
N/A
Black
Anchorage
5.3%
Asheville
N/A
Asian
Anchorage
9.8%
Asheville
N/A
Hispanic
Anchorage
9.3%
Asheville
N/A
Spanish at Home
Anchorage
N/A
Asheville
N/A
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Asheville, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 289,069 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.9 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 10.9% | N/A | - |
| White | 58.3% | N/A | - |
| Black | 5.3% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 9.8% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Anchorage
$98,152
Asheville
N/A
Per Capita Income
Anchorage
$49,338
Asheville
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Anchorage
$69,233
Anchorage +
Asheville
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Anchorage
4.6%
Asheville
N/A
Poverty Rate
Anchorage
9.3%
Asheville
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Anchorage
37.7%
Asheville
N/A
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Asheville, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $98,152 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $49,338 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,233 | $59,120 | Anchorage + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 9.3% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.7% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Anchorage
$414,014
Anchorage +
Asheville
$461,425
Homeownership Rate
Anchorage
63.7%
Asheville
N/A
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Asheville, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $414,014 | $461,425 | Anchorage + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.7% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Anchorage
780
Asheville
398
Asheville +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Anchorage
1849
Anchorage +
Asheville
1999
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Asheville, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 780 | 398 | Asheville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1849 | 1999 | Anchorage + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
35.2%
Asheville
31.5%
Asheville +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
9.0%
Anchorage +
Asheville
10.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Anchorage
16.4%
Asheville
15.9%
Asheville +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
9.7%
Asheville
9.2%
Asheville +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
18.0%
Asheville
15.7%
Asheville +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
14.4%
Asheville
12.1%
Asheville +
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Asheville, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.2% | 31.5% | Asheville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.0% | 10.4% | Anchorage + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.4% | 15.9% | Asheville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 9.2% | Asheville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 15.7% | Asheville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 12.1% | Asheville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Anchorage
37.0°F
Anchorage +
Asheville
55.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Anchorage
16.7 in
Anchorage +
Asheville
45.6 in
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Asheville, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.0°F | 55.9°F | Anchorage + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.7 in | 45.6 in | Anchorage + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Anchorage
7.6 µg/m³
Anchorage +
Asheville
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Anchorage
75.0%
Asheville
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Asheville, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Anchorage + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Anchorage
20.4 min
Asheville
N/A
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Asheville, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.4 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Anchorage offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $414,014. On public safety, Asheville is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 780 in Anchorage. Anchorage has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Asheville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.5%.
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