Anchorage AK vs Cambridge 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%
Cambridge, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 117,794
- Median HH Income$126,469
- Median Home Price$1,041,988
- Unemployment3.4%
- Bachelor's+80.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Anchorage
289,069
Anchorage +
Cambridge
117,794
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Anchorage
N/A
Cambridge
N/A
Median Age
Anchorage
34.9
Cambridge
30.5
Cambridge +
Foreign Born
Anchorage
10.9%
Cambridge
28.8%
Cambridge +
White
Anchorage
58.3%
Anchorage +
Cambridge
57.5%
Black
Anchorage
5.3%
Cambridge
10.5%
Cambridge +
Asian
Anchorage
9.8%
Cambridge
19.7%
Cambridge +
Hispanic
Anchorage
9.3%
Anchorage +
Cambridge
8.9%
Spanish at Home
Anchorage
N/A
Cambridge
N/A
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Cambridge, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 289,069 | 117,794 | Anchorage + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.9 | 30.5 | Cambridge + |
| Foreign Born | 10.9% | 28.8% | Cambridge + |
| White | 58.3% | 57.5% | Anchorage + |
| Black | 5.3% | 10.5% | Cambridge + |
| Asian | 9.8% | 19.7% | Cambridge + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 8.9% | Anchorage + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Anchorage
$98,152
Cambridge
$126,469
Cambridge +
Per Capita Income
Anchorage
$49,338
Cambridge
$76,789
Cambridge +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Anchorage
$69,233
Cambridge
$85,405
Cambridge +
Unemployment Rate
Anchorage
4.6%
Cambridge
3.4%
Cambridge +
Poverty Rate
Anchorage
9.3%
Anchorage +
Cambridge
12.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Anchorage
37.7%
Cambridge
80.2%
Cambridge +
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Cambridge, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $98,152 | $126,469 | Cambridge + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,338 | $76,789 | Cambridge + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,233 | $85,405 | Cambridge + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 3.4% | Cambridge + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.3% | 12.4% | Anchorage + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.7% | 80.2% | Cambridge + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Anchorage
$414,014
Anchorage +
Cambridge
$1,041,988
Homeownership Rate
Anchorage
63.7%
Anchorage +
Cambridge
33.7%
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Cambridge, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $414,014 | $1,041,988 | Anchorage + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.7% | 33.7% | Anchorage + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Anchorage
780
Cambridge
326
Cambridge +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Anchorage
1849
Cambridge
1086
Cambridge +
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Cambridge, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 780 | 326 | Cambridge + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1849 | 1086 | Cambridge + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
35.2%
Cambridge
21.9%
Cambridge +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
9.0%
Cambridge
5.9%
Cambridge +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Anchorage
16.4%
Cambridge
16.0%
Cambridge +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
9.7%
Cambridge
3.8%
Cambridge +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
18.0%
Anchorage +
Cambridge
18.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
14.4%
Cambridge
7.1%
Cambridge +
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Cambridge, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.2% | 21.9% | Cambridge + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.0% | 5.9% | Cambridge + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.4% | 16.0% | Cambridge + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 3.8% | Cambridge + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 18.5% | Anchorage + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 7.1% | Cambridge + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Anchorage
37.0°F
Cambridge
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Anchorage
16.7 in
Cambridge
N/A
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Cambridge, MA | 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
Cambridge
7.2 µg/m³
Cambridge +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Anchorage
75.0%
Cambridge
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Cambridge, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Cambridge + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Anchorage
20.4 min
Anchorage +
Cambridge
28.3 min
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Cambridge, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.4 min | 28.3 min | Anchorage + |
Which City is Right for You?
Cambridge leads in median household income at $126,469, while anchorage offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $414,014. On public safety, Cambridge is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 780 in Anchorage. Cambridge has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, and Cambridge has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Cambridge scores better with a lower obesity rate of 21.9%.
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