Anchorage AK vs Boston MA — 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%
Boston, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 663,972
- Median HH Income$94,755
- Median Home Price$793,154
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+54.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Anchorage
289,069
Boston
663,972
Boston +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Anchorage
N/A
Boston
N/A
Median Age
Anchorage
34.9
Boston
33.2
Boston +
Foreign Born
Anchorage
10.9%
Boston
27.5%
Boston +
White
Anchorage
58.3%
Anchorage +
Boston
47.8%
Black
Anchorage
5.3%
Boston
21.5%
Boston +
Asian
Anchorage
9.8%
Boston
10.0%
Boston +
Hispanic
Anchorage
9.3%
Boston
18.9%
Boston +
Spanish at Home
Anchorage
N/A
Boston
N/A
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Boston, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 289,069 | 663,972 | Boston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.9 | 33.2 | Boston + |
| Foreign Born | 10.9% | 27.5% | Boston + |
| White | 58.3% | 47.8% | Anchorage + |
| Black | 5.3% | 21.5% | Boston + |
| Asian | 9.8% | 10.0% | Boston + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 18.9% | Boston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Anchorage
$98,152
Anchorage +
Boston
$94,755
Per Capita Income
Anchorage
$49,338
Boston
$60,001
Boston +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Anchorage
$69,233
Boston
$85,405
Boston +
Unemployment Rate
Anchorage
4.6%
Anchorage +
Boston
6.0%
Poverty Rate
Anchorage
9.3%
Anchorage +
Boston
16.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Anchorage
37.7%
Boston
54.1%
Boston +
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Boston, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $98,152 | $94,755 | Anchorage + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,338 | $60,001 | Boston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,233 | $85,405 | Boston + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 6.0% | Anchorage + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.3% | 16.9% | Anchorage + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.7% | 54.1% | Boston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Anchorage
$414,014
Anchorage +
Boston
$793,154
Homeownership Rate
Anchorage
63.7%
Anchorage +
Boston
35.4%
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Boston, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $414,014 | $793,154 | Anchorage + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.7% | 35.4% | Anchorage + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Anchorage
780
Boston
326
Boston +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Anchorage
1849
Boston
1086
Boston +
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Boston, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 780 | 326 | Boston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1849 | 1086 | Boston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
35.2%
Boston
23.4%
Boston +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
9.0%
Boston
8.6%
Boston +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Anchorage
16.4%
Anchorage +
Boston
18.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
9.7%
Boston
6.3%
Boston +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
18.0%
Anchorage +
Boston
20.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
14.4%
Boston
10.7%
Boston +
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Boston, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.2% | 23.4% | Boston + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.0% | 8.6% | Boston + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.4% | 18.0% | Anchorage + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 6.3% | Boston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 20.7% | Anchorage + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 10.7% | Boston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Anchorage
37.0°F
Anchorage +
Boston
51.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Anchorage
16.7 in
Anchorage +
Boston
43.8 in
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Boston, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.0°F | 51.5°F | Anchorage + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.7 in | 43.8 in | Anchorage + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Anchorage
7.6 µg/m³
Boston
7.2 µg/m³
Boston +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Anchorage
75.0%
Boston
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Boston, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Boston + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Anchorage
20.4 min
Anchorage +
Boston
33.1 min
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Boston, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.4 min | 33.1 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, Boston is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 780 in Anchorage. Anchorage has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Boston has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Boston scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.4%.
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