Anchorage AK vs Broken Arrow OK — 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%
Broken Arrow, OK
Oklahoma · Population: 115,919
- Median HH Income$85,220
- Median Home Price$289,352
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+35.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Anchorage
289,069
Anchorage +
Broken Arrow
115,919
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Anchorage
N/A
Broken Arrow
N/A
Median Age
Anchorage
34.9
Anchorage +
Broken Arrow
37.0
Foreign Born
Anchorage
10.9%
Anchorage +
Broken Arrow
8.2%
White
Anchorage
58.3%
Broken Arrow
68.4%
Broken Arrow +
Black
Anchorage
5.3%
Broken Arrow
5.9%
Broken Arrow +
Asian
Anchorage
9.8%
Anchorage +
Broken Arrow
4.6%
Hispanic
Anchorage
9.3%
Broken Arrow
11.3%
Broken Arrow +
Spanish at Home
Anchorage
N/A
Broken Arrow
N/A
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Broken Arrow, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 289,069 | 115,919 | Anchorage + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.9 | 37.0 | Anchorage + |
| Foreign Born | 10.9% | 8.2% | Anchorage + |
| White | 58.3% | 68.4% | Broken Arrow + |
| Black | 5.3% | 5.9% | Broken Arrow + |
| Asian | 9.8% | 4.6% | Anchorage + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 11.3% | Broken Arrow + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Anchorage
$98,152
Anchorage +
Broken Arrow
$85,220
Per Capita Income
Anchorage
$49,338
Anchorage +
Broken Arrow
$46,356
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Anchorage
$69,233
Anchorage +
Broken Arrow
$57,929
Unemployment Rate
Anchorage
4.6%
Broken Arrow
4.3%
Broken Arrow +
Poverty Rate
Anchorage
9.3%
Broken Arrow
9.0%
Broken Arrow +
Bachelor's Degree+
Anchorage
37.7%
Anchorage +
Broken Arrow
35.0%
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Broken Arrow, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $98,152 | $85,220 | Anchorage + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,338 | $46,356 | Anchorage + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,233 | $57,929 | Anchorage + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 4.3% | Broken Arrow + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.3% | 9.0% | Broken Arrow + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.7% | 35.0% | Anchorage + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Anchorage
$414,014
Broken Arrow
$289,352
Broken Arrow +
Homeownership Rate
Anchorage
63.7%
Broken Arrow
72.6%
Broken Arrow +
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Broken Arrow, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $414,014 | $289,352 | Broken Arrow + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.7% | 72.6% | Broken Arrow + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Anchorage
780
Broken Arrow
429
Broken Arrow +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Anchorage
1849
Anchorage +
Broken Arrow
2375
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Broken Arrow, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 780 | 429 | Broken Arrow + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1849 | 2375 | Anchorage + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
35.2%
Broken Arrow
33.7%
Broken Arrow +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
9.0%
Anchorage +
Broken Arrow
10.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Anchorage
16.4%
Anchorage +
Broken Arrow
16.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
9.7%
Broken Arrow
9.1%
Broken Arrow +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
18.0%
Broken Arrow
14.1%
Broken Arrow +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
14.4%
Broken Arrow
13.2%
Broken Arrow +
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Broken Arrow, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.2% | 33.7% | Broken Arrow + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.0% | 10.6% | Anchorage + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.4% | 16.9% | Anchorage + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 9.1% | Broken Arrow + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 14.1% | Broken Arrow + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 13.2% | Broken Arrow + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Anchorage
37.0°F
Broken Arrow
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Anchorage
16.7 in
Broken Arrow
N/A
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Broken Arrow, OK | 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 +
Broken Arrow
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Anchorage
75.0%
Broken Arrow
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Broken Arrow, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Anchorage + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Anchorage
20.4 min
Anchorage +
Broken Arrow
23.3 min
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Broken Arrow, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.4 min | 23.3 min | Anchorage + |
Which City is Right for You?
Anchorage leads in median household income at $98,152, while broken Arrow offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $289,352. On public safety, Broken Arrow is safer with a violent crime rate of 429 per 100,000 residents, compared to 780 in Anchorage. Broken Arrow has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Anchorage has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Broken Arrow scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.7%.
Compare More Cities
Anchorage, AK vs New York, NYAnchorage, AK vs Los Angeles, CAAnchorage, AK vs Chicago, ILAnchorage, AK vs Houston, TXAnchorage, AK vs Phoenix, AZAnchorage, AK vs Philadelphia, PA