Anchorage AK vs Aurora CO — 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%
Aurora, CO
Colorado · Population: 390,201
- Median HH Income$84,320
- Median Home Price$464,881
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+32.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Anchorage
289,069
Aurora
390,201
Aurora +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Anchorage
N/A
Aurora
N/A
Median Age
Anchorage
34.9
Anchorage +
Aurora
35.1
Foreign Born
Anchorage
10.9%
Aurora
21.8%
Aurora +
White
Anchorage
58.3%
Anchorage +
Aurora
49.2%
Black
Anchorage
5.3%
Aurora
15.8%
Aurora +
Asian
Anchorage
9.8%
Anchorage +
Aurora
6.0%
Hispanic
Anchorage
9.3%
Aurora
30.6%
Aurora +
Spanish at Home
Anchorage
N/A
Aurora
N/A
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Aurora, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 289,069 | 390,201 | Aurora + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.9 | 35.1 | Anchorage + |
| Foreign Born | 10.9% | 21.8% | Aurora + |
| White | 58.3% | 49.2% | Anchorage + |
| Black | 5.3% | 15.8% | Aurora + |
| Asian | 9.8% | 6.0% | Anchorage + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 30.6% | Aurora + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Anchorage
$98,152
Anchorage +
Aurora
$84,320
Per Capita Income
Anchorage
$49,338
Anchorage +
Aurora
$40,424
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Anchorage
$69,233
Aurora
$76,653
Aurora +
Unemployment Rate
Anchorage
4.6%
Anchorage +
Aurora
5.7%
Poverty Rate
Anchorage
9.3%
Anchorage +
Aurora
11.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Anchorage
37.7%
Anchorage +
Aurora
32.9%
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Aurora, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $98,152 | $84,320 | Anchorage + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,338 | $40,424 | Anchorage + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,233 | $76,653 | Aurora + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 5.7% | Anchorage + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.3% | 11.3% | Anchorage + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.7% | 32.9% | Anchorage + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Anchorage
$414,014
Anchorage +
Aurora
$464,881
Homeownership Rate
Anchorage
63.7%
Anchorage +
Aurora
63.3%
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Aurora, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $414,014 | $464,881 | Anchorage + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.7% | 63.3% | Anchorage + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Anchorage
780
Aurora
512
Aurora +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Anchorage
1849
Anchorage +
Aurora
3234
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Aurora, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 780 | 512 | Aurora + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1849 | 3234 | Anchorage + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
35.2%
Aurora
29.1%
Aurora +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
9.0%
Anchorage +
Aurora
9.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Anchorage
16.4%
Anchorage +
Aurora
17.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
9.7%
Anchorage +
Aurora
16.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
18.0%
Aurora
17.4%
Aurora +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
14.4%
Aurora
12.7%
Aurora +
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Aurora, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.2% | 29.1% | Aurora + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.0% | 9.5% | Anchorage + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.4% | 17.6% | Anchorage + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 16.1% | Anchorage + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 17.4% | Aurora + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 12.7% | Aurora + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Anchorage
37.0°F
Aurora
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Anchorage
16.7 in
Aurora
N/A
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Aurora, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.0°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.7 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Anchorage
7.6 µg/m³
Aurora
6.2 µg/m³
Aurora +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Anchorage
75.0%
Aurora
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Aurora, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Aurora + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Anchorage
20.4 min
Anchorage +
Aurora
30.9 min
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Aurora, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.4 min | 30.9 min | Anchorage + |
Which City is Right for You?
Anchorage leads in median household income at $98,152, while anchorage offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $414,014. On public safety, Aurora is safer with a violent crime rate of 512 per 100,000 residents, compared to 780 in Anchorage. Anchorage has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Aurora has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Aurora scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.1%.
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