Anchorage AK vs Bellevue WA — 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%
Bellevue, WA
Washington · Population: 151,199
- Median HH Income$161,300
- Median Home Price$1,527,243
- Unemployment4.0%
- Bachelor's+71.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Anchorage
289,069
Anchorage +
Bellevue
151,199
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Anchorage
N/A
Bellevue
N/A
Median Age
Anchorage
34.9
Anchorage +
Bellevue
38.3
Foreign Born
Anchorage
10.9%
Bellevue
42.1%
Bellevue +
White
Anchorage
58.3%
Anchorage +
Bellevue
45.0%
Black
Anchorage
5.3%
Anchorage +
Bellevue
2.2%
Asian
Anchorage
9.8%
Bellevue
41.0%
Bellevue +
Hispanic
Anchorage
9.3%
Anchorage +
Bellevue
8.5%
Spanish at Home
Anchorage
N/A
Bellevue
N/A
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Bellevue, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 289,069 | 151,199 | Anchorage + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.9 | 38.3 | Anchorage + |
| Foreign Born | 10.9% | 42.1% | Bellevue + |
| White | 58.3% | 45.0% | Anchorage + |
| Black | 5.3% | 2.2% | Anchorage + |
| Asian | 9.8% | 41.0% | Bellevue + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 8.5% | Anchorage + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Anchorage
$98,152
Bellevue
$161,300
Bellevue +
Per Capita Income
Anchorage
$49,338
Bellevue
$92,441
Bellevue +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Anchorage
$69,233
Bellevue
$76,120
Bellevue +
Unemployment Rate
Anchorage
4.6%
Bellevue
4.0%
Bellevue +
Poverty Rate
Anchorage
9.3%
Bellevue
7.3%
Bellevue +
Bachelor's Degree+
Anchorage
37.7%
Bellevue
71.4%
Bellevue +
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Bellevue, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $98,152 | $161,300 | Bellevue + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,338 | $92,441 | Bellevue + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,233 | $76,120 | Bellevue + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 4.0% | Bellevue + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.3% | 7.3% | Bellevue + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.7% | 71.4% | Bellevue + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Anchorage
$414,014
Anchorage +
Bellevue
$1,527,243
Homeownership Rate
Anchorage
63.7%
Anchorage +
Bellevue
51.9%
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Bellevue, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $414,014 | $1,527,243 | Anchorage + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.7% | 51.9% | Anchorage + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Anchorage
780
Bellevue
383
Bellevue +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Anchorage
1849
Anchorage +
Bellevue
3409
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Bellevue, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 780 | 383 | Bellevue + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1849 | 3409 | Anchorage + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
35.2%
Bellevue
18.8%
Bellevue +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
9.0%
Bellevue
6.9%
Bellevue +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Anchorage
16.4%
Bellevue
12.5%
Bellevue +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
9.7%
Bellevue
5.4%
Bellevue +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
18.0%
Bellevue
15.6%
Bellevue +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
14.4%
Bellevue
5.5%
Bellevue +
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Bellevue, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.2% | 18.8% | Bellevue + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.0% | 6.9% | Bellevue + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.4% | 12.5% | Bellevue + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 5.4% | Bellevue + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 15.6% | Bellevue + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 5.5% | Bellevue + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Anchorage
37.0°F
Bellevue
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Anchorage
16.7 in
Bellevue
N/A
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Bellevue, WA | 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
Bellevue
7.5 µg/m³
Bellevue +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Anchorage
75.0%
Bellevue
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Bellevue, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Bellevue + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Anchorage
20.4 min
Anchorage +
Bellevue
25.6 min
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Bellevue, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.4 min | 25.6 min | Anchorage + |
Which City is Right for You?
Bellevue leads in median household income at $161,300, while anchorage offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $414,014. On public safety, Bellevue is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 780 in Anchorage. Bellevue has a lower unemployment rate at 4.0%, and Bellevue has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Bellevue scores better with a lower obesity rate of 18.8%.
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