Anchorage AK vs Bellingham 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%
Bellingham, WA
Washington · Population: 92,367
- Median HH Income$65,821
- Median Home Price$669,185
- Unemployment5.6%
- Bachelor's+46.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Anchorage
289,069
Anchorage +
Bellingham
92,367
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Anchorage
N/A
Bellingham
N/A
Median Age
Anchorage
34.9
Bellingham
34.5
Bellingham +
Foreign Born
Anchorage
10.9%
Anchorage +
Bellingham
9.1%
White
Anchorage
58.3%
Bellingham
79.5%
Bellingham +
Black
Anchorage
5.3%
Anchorage +
Bellingham
1.3%
Asian
Anchorage
9.8%
Anchorage +
Bellingham
5.4%
Hispanic
Anchorage
9.3%
Bellingham
10.0%
Bellingham +
Spanish at Home
Anchorage
N/A
Bellingham
N/A
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Bellingham, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 289,069 | 92,367 | Anchorage + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.9 | 34.5 | Bellingham + |
| Foreign Born | 10.9% | 9.1% | Anchorage + |
| White | 58.3% | 79.5% | Bellingham + |
| Black | 5.3% | 1.3% | Anchorage + |
| Asian | 9.8% | 5.4% | Anchorage + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 10.0% | Bellingham + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Anchorage
$98,152
Anchorage +
Bellingham
$65,821
Per Capita Income
Anchorage
$49,338
Anchorage +
Bellingham
$42,120
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Anchorage
$69,233
Bellingham
$76,120
Bellingham +
Unemployment Rate
Anchorage
4.6%
Anchorage +
Bellingham
5.6%
Poverty Rate
Anchorage
9.3%
Anchorage +
Bellingham
18.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Anchorage
37.7%
Bellingham
46.5%
Bellingham +
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Bellingham, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $98,152 | $65,821 | Anchorage + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,338 | $42,120 | Anchorage + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,233 | $76,120 | Bellingham + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 5.6% | Anchorage + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.3% | 18.3% | Anchorage + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.7% | 46.5% | Bellingham + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Anchorage
$414,014
Anchorage +
Bellingham
$669,185
Homeownership Rate
Anchorage
63.7%
Anchorage +
Bellingham
45.2%
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Bellingham, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $414,014 | $669,185 | Anchorage + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.7% | 45.2% | Anchorage + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Anchorage
780
Bellingham
383
Bellingham +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Anchorage
1849
Anchorage +
Bellingham
3409
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Bellingham, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 780 | 383 | Bellingham + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1849 | 3409 | Anchorage + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
35.2%
Bellingham
26.0%
Bellingham +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
9.0%
Bellingham
7.7%
Bellingham +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Anchorage
16.4%
Anchorage +
Bellingham
19.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
9.7%
Bellingham
8.2%
Bellingham +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
18.0%
Anchorage +
Bellingham
18.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
14.4%
Bellingham
10.5%
Bellingham +
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Bellingham, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.2% | 26.0% | Bellingham + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.0% | 7.7% | Bellingham + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.4% | 19.7% | Anchorage + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 8.2% | Bellingham + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 18.5% | Anchorage + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 10.5% | Bellingham + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Anchorage
37.0°F
Anchorage +
Bellingham
51.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Anchorage
16.7 in
Anchorage +
Bellingham
35.3 in
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Bellingham, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.0°F | 51.7°F | Anchorage + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.7 in | 35.3 in | Anchorage + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Anchorage
7.6 µg/m³
Bellingham
7.5 µg/m³
Bellingham +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Anchorage
75.0%
Bellingham
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Bellingham, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Bellingham + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Anchorage
20.4 min
Bellingham
20.1 min
Bellingham +
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Bellingham, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.4 min | 20.1 min | Bellingham + |
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, Bellingham is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 780 in Anchorage. Anchorage has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Bellingham has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Bellingham scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.0%.
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