Anchorage AK vs Bend OR — 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%
Bend, OR
Oregon · Population: 97,502
- Median HH Income$94,279
- Median Home Price$735,193
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+49.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Anchorage
289,069
Anchorage +
Bend
97,502
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Anchorage
N/A
Bend
N/A
Median Age
Anchorage
34.9
Anchorage +
Bend
37.6
Foreign Born
Anchorage
10.9%
Bend
17.6%
Bend +
White
Anchorage
58.3%
Bend
65.5%
Bend +
Black
Anchorage
5.3%
Anchorage +
Bend
2.8%
Asian
Anchorage
9.8%
Bend
11.4%
Bend +
Hispanic
Anchorage
9.3%
Bend
17.3%
Bend +
Spanish at Home
Anchorage
N/A
Bend
N/A
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Bend, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 289,069 | 97,502 | Anchorage + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.9 | 37.6 | Anchorage + |
| Foreign Born | 10.9% | 17.6% | Bend + |
| White | 58.3% | 65.5% | Bend + |
| Black | 5.3% | 2.8% | Anchorage + |
| Asian | 9.8% | 11.4% | Bend + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 17.3% | Bend + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Anchorage
$98,152
Anchorage +
Bend
$94,279
Per Capita Income
Anchorage
$49,338
Bend
$51,659
Bend +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Anchorage
$69,233
Anchorage +
Bend
$63,691
Unemployment Rate
Anchorage
4.6%
Bend
4.2%
Bend +
Poverty Rate
Anchorage
9.3%
Anchorage +
Bend
9.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Anchorage
37.7%
Bend
49.3%
Bend +
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Bend, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $98,152 | $94,279 | Anchorage + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,338 | $51,659 | Bend + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,233 | $63,691 | Anchorage + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 4.2% | Bend + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.3% | 9.9% | Anchorage + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.7% | 49.3% | Bend + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Anchorage
$414,014
Anchorage +
Bend
$735,193
Homeownership Rate
Anchorage
63.7%
Anchorage +
Bend
49.8%
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Bend, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $414,014 | $735,193 | Anchorage + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.7% | 49.8% | Anchorage + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Anchorage
780
Bend
355
Bend +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Anchorage
1849
Anchorage +
Bend
3001
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Bend, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 780 | 355 | Bend + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1849 | 3001 | Anchorage + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
35.2%
Bend
26.5%
Bend +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
9.0%
Bend
8.9%
Bend +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Anchorage
16.4%
Bend
16.0%
Bend +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
9.7%
Bend
6.5%
Bend +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
18.0%
Bend
17.7%
Bend +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
14.4%
Bend
10.0%
Bend +
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Bend, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.2% | 26.5% | Bend + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.0% | 8.9% | Bend + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.4% | 16.0% | Bend + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 6.5% | Bend + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 17.7% | Bend + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 10.0% | Bend + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Anchorage
37.0°F
Anchorage +
Bend
46.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Anchorage
16.7 in
Bend
11.4 in
Bend +
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Bend, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.0°F | 46.6°F | Anchorage + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.7 in | 11.4 in | Bend + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Anchorage
7.6 µg/m³
Anchorage +
Bend
9.0 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Anchorage
75.0%
Anchorage +
Bend
55.0%
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Bend, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 9.0 µg/m³ | Anchorage + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Anchorage + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Anchorage
20.4 min
Anchorage +
Bend
26.1 min
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Bend, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.4 min | 26.1 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, Bend is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 780 in Anchorage. Bend has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Anchorage has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Bend scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.5%.
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