Anchorage AK vs Bloomington MN — 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%
Bloomington, MN
Minnesota · Population: 71,261
- Median HH Income$103,382
- Median Home Price$366,438
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+36.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Anchorage
289,069
Anchorage +
Bloomington
71,261
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Anchorage
N/A
Bloomington
N/A
Median Age
Anchorage
34.9
Anchorage +
Bloomington
37.3
Foreign Born
Anchorage
10.9%
Bloomington
14.1%
Bloomington +
White
Anchorage
58.3%
Bloomington
72.7%
Bloomington +
Black
Anchorage
5.3%
Bloomington
8.6%
Bloomington +
Asian
Anchorage
9.8%
Anchorage +
Bloomington
9.5%
Hispanic
Anchorage
9.3%
Anchorage +
Bloomington
5.1%
Spanish at Home
Anchorage
N/A
Bloomington
N/A
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Bloomington, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 289,069 | 71,261 | Anchorage + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.9 | 37.3 | Anchorage + |
| Foreign Born | 10.9% | 14.1% | Bloomington + |
| White | 58.3% | 72.7% | Bloomington + |
| Black | 5.3% | 8.6% | Bloomington + |
| Asian | 9.8% | 9.5% | Anchorage + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 5.1% | Anchorage + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Anchorage
$98,152
Bloomington
$103,382
Bloomington +
Per Capita Income
Anchorage
$49,338
Anchorage +
Bloomington
$44,640
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Anchorage
$69,233
Bloomington
$69,467
Bloomington +
Unemployment Rate
Anchorage
4.6%
Bloomington
4.5%
Bloomington +
Poverty Rate
Anchorage
9.3%
Bloomington
6.5%
Bloomington +
Bachelor's Degree+
Anchorage
37.7%
Anchorage +
Bloomington
36.1%
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Bloomington, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $98,152 | $103,382 | Bloomington + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,338 | $44,640 | Anchorage + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,233 | $69,467 | Bloomington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 4.5% | Bloomington + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.3% | 6.5% | Bloomington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.7% | 36.1% | Anchorage + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Anchorage
$414,014
Bloomington
$366,438
Bloomington +
Homeownership Rate
Anchorage
63.7%
Bloomington
85.0%
Bloomington +
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Bloomington, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $414,014 | $366,438 | Bloomington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.7% | 85.0% | Bloomington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Anchorage
780
Bloomington
284
Bloomington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Anchorage
1849
Anchorage +
Bloomington
1992
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Bloomington, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 780 | 284 | Bloomington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1849 | 1992 | Anchorage + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
35.2%
Bloomington
26.8%
Bloomington +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
9.0%
Bloomington
8.9%
Bloomington +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Anchorage
16.4%
Bloomington
14.2%
Bloomington +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
9.7%
Bloomington
8.5%
Bloomington +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
18.0%
Bloomington
17.2%
Bloomington +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
14.4%
Bloomington
11.4%
Bloomington +
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Bloomington, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.2% | 26.8% | Bloomington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.0% | 8.9% | Bloomington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.4% | 14.2% | Bloomington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 8.5% | Bloomington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 17.2% | Bloomington + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 11.4% | Bloomington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Anchorage
37.0°F
Bloomington
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Anchorage
16.7 in
Bloomington
N/A
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Bloomington, MN | 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
Anchorage +
Bloomington
8.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Anchorage
75.0%
Bloomington
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Bloomington, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Anchorage + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Anchorage
20.4 min
Anchorage +
Bloomington
27.0 min
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Bloomington, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.4 min | 27.0 min | Anchorage + |
Which City is Right for You?
Bloomington leads in median household income at $103,382, while bloomington offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $366,438. On public safety, Bloomington is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 780 in Anchorage. Bloomington has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Anchorage has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Bloomington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.8%.
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