Anchorage AK vs Boise ID — 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%
Boise, ID
Idaho · Population: 235,701
- Median HH Income$81,308
- Median Home Price$504,894
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+46.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Anchorage
289,069
Anchorage +
Boise
235,701
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Anchorage
N/A
Boise
N/A
Median Age
Anchorage
34.9
Anchorage +
Boise
38.2
Foreign Born
Anchorage
10.9%
Anchorage +
Boise
7.2%
White
Anchorage
58.3%
Boise
83.6%
Boise +
Black
Anchorage
5.3%
Anchorage +
Boise
1.4%
Asian
Anchorage
9.8%
Anchorage +
Boise
3.4%
Hispanic
Anchorage
9.3%
Boise
9.5%
Boise +
Spanish at Home
Anchorage
N/A
Boise
N/A
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Boise, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 289,069 | 235,701 | Anchorage + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.9 | 38.2 | Anchorage + |
| Foreign Born | 10.9% | 7.2% | Anchorage + |
| White | 58.3% | 83.6% | Boise + |
| Black | 5.3% | 1.4% | Anchorage + |
| Asian | 9.8% | 3.4% | Anchorage + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 9.5% | Boise + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Anchorage
$98,152
Anchorage +
Boise
$81,308
Per Capita Income
Anchorage
$49,338
Anchorage +
Boise
$48,274
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Anchorage
$69,233
Anchorage +
Boise
$57,074
Unemployment Rate
Anchorage
4.6%
Boise
3.8%
Boise +
Poverty Rate
Anchorage
9.3%
Anchorage +
Boise
10.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Anchorage
37.7%
Boise
46.6%
Boise +
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Boise, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $98,152 | $81,308 | Anchorage + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,338 | $48,274 | Anchorage + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,233 | $57,074 | Anchorage + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 3.8% | Boise + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.3% | 10.6% | Anchorage + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.7% | 46.6% | Boise + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Anchorage
$414,014
Anchorage +
Boise
$504,894
Homeownership Rate
Anchorage
63.7%
Anchorage +
Boise
63.0%
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Boise, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $414,014 | $504,894 | Anchorage + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.7% | 63.0% | Anchorage + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Anchorage
780
Boise
251
Boise +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Anchorage
1849
Boise
958
Boise +
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Boise, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 780 | 251 | Boise + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1849 | 958 | Boise + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
35.2%
Boise
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
9.0%
Boise
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Anchorage
16.4%
Boise
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
9.7%
Boise
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
18.0%
Boise
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
14.4%
Boise
N/A
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Boise, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.2% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.0% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.4% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.4% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Anchorage
37.0°F
Anchorage +
Boise
49.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Anchorage
16.7 in
Anchorage +
Boise
18.6 in
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Boise, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.0°F | 49.9°F | Anchorage + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.7 in | 18.6 in | Anchorage + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Anchorage
7.6 µg/m³
Anchorage +
Boise
7.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Anchorage
75.0%
Boise
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Boise, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Anchorage + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Anchorage
20.4 min
Boise
20.4 min
Tie
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Boise, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.4 min | 20.4 min | Tie |
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, Boise is safer with a violent crime rate of 251 per 100,000 residents, compared to 780 in Anchorage. Boise has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Anchorage has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.6 µg/m³).
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