Anchorage AK vs Bismarck ND — 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%
Bismarck, ND
North Dakota · Population: 74,146
- Median HH Income$77,608
- Median Home Price$373,227
- Unemployment3.6%
- Bachelor's+38.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Anchorage
289,069
Anchorage +
Bismarck
74,146
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Anchorage
N/A
Bismarck
N/A
Median Age
Anchorage
34.9
Anchorage +
Bismarck
38.2
Foreign Born
Anchorage
10.9%
Anchorage +
Bismarck
3.6%
White
Anchorage
58.3%
Bismarck
84.8%
Bismarck +
Black
Anchorage
5.3%
Anchorage +
Bismarck
2.5%
Asian
Anchorage
9.8%
Anchorage +
Bismarck
1.0%
Hispanic
Anchorage
9.3%
Anchorage +
Bismarck
3.2%
Spanish at Home
Anchorage
N/A
Bismarck
N/A
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Bismarck, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 289,069 | 74,146 | Anchorage + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.9 | 38.2 | Anchorage + |
| Foreign Born | 10.9% | 3.6% | Anchorage + |
| White | 58.3% | 84.8% | Bismarck + |
| Black | 5.3% | 2.5% | Anchorage + |
| Asian | 9.8% | 1.0% | Anchorage + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 3.2% | Anchorage + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Anchorage
$98,152
Anchorage +
Bismarck
$77,608
Per Capita Income
Anchorage
$49,338
Anchorage +
Bismarck
$44,475
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Anchorage
$69,233
Bismarck
$71,089
Bismarck +
Unemployment Rate
Anchorage
4.6%
Bismarck
3.6%
Bismarck +
Poverty Rate
Anchorage
9.3%
Anchorage +
Bismarck
9.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Anchorage
37.7%
Bismarck
38.7%
Bismarck +
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Bismarck, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $98,152 | $77,608 | Anchorage + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,338 | $44,475 | Anchorage + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,233 | $71,089 | Bismarck + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 3.6% | Bismarck + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.3% | 9.7% | Anchorage + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.7% | 38.7% | Bismarck + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Anchorage
$414,014
Bismarck
$373,227
Bismarck +
Homeownership Rate
Anchorage
63.7%
Bismarck
65.8%
Bismarck +
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Bismarck, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $414,014 | $373,227 | Bismarck + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.7% | 65.8% | Bismarck + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Anchorage
780
Bismarck
288
Bismarck +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Anchorage
1849
Anchorage +
Bismarck
2037
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Bismarck, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 780 | 288 | Bismarck + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1849 | 2037 | Anchorage + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
35.2%
Bismarck
35.2%
Tie
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
9.0%
Anchorage +
Bismarck
9.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Anchorage
16.4%
Bismarck
13.3%
Bismarck +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
9.7%
Bismarck
6.6%
Bismarck +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
18.0%
Anchorage +
Bismarck
20.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
14.4%
Bismarck
12.0%
Bismarck +
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Bismarck, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.2% | 35.2% | Tie |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.0% | 9.4% | Anchorage + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.4% | 13.3% | Bismarck + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 6.6% | Bismarck + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 20.4% | Anchorage + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 12.0% | Bismarck + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Anchorage
37.0°F
Anchorage +
Bismarck
42.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Anchorage
16.7 in
Anchorage +
Bismarck
19.6 in
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Bismarck, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.0°F | 42.4°F | Anchorage + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.7 in | 19.6 in | Anchorage + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Anchorage
7.6 µg/m³
Anchorage +
Bismarck
8.6 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Anchorage
75.0%
Bismarck
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Bismarck, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | Anchorage + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Anchorage
20.4 min
Bismarck
16.7 min
Bismarck +
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Bismarck, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.4 min | 16.7 min | Bismarck + |
Which City is Right for You?
Anchorage leads in median household income at $98,152, while bismarck offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $373,227. On public safety, Bismarck is safer with a violent crime rate of 288 per 100,000 residents, compared to 780 in Anchorage. Bismarck has a lower unemployment rate at 3.6%, and Anchorage has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Bismarck scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.2%.
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