Anchorage AK vs Chandler AZ — 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%
Chandler, AZ
Arizona · Population: 278,123
- Median HH Income$103,691
- Median Home Price$524,013
- Unemployment3.6%
- Bachelor's+46.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Anchorage
289,069
Anchorage +
Chandler
278,123
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Anchorage
N/A
Chandler
N/A
Median Age
Anchorage
34.9
Anchorage +
Chandler
37.4
Foreign Born
Anchorage
10.9%
Chandler
15.4%
Chandler +
White
Anchorage
58.3%
Chandler
62.6%
Chandler +
Black
Anchorage
5.3%
Anchorage +
Chandler
5.2%
Asian
Anchorage
9.8%
Chandler
11.4%
Chandler +
Hispanic
Anchorage
9.3%
Chandler
21.4%
Chandler +
Spanish at Home
Anchorage
N/A
Chandler
N/A
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Chandler, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 289,069 | 278,123 | Anchorage + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.9 | 37.4 | Anchorage + |
| Foreign Born | 10.9% | 15.4% | Chandler + |
| White | 58.3% | 62.6% | Chandler + |
| Black | 5.3% | 5.2% | Anchorage + |
| Asian | 9.8% | 11.4% | Chandler + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 21.4% | Chandler + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Anchorage
$98,152
Chandler
$103,691
Chandler +
Per Capita Income
Anchorage
$49,338
Chandler
$51,746
Chandler +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Anchorage
$69,233
Anchorage +
Chandler
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Anchorage
4.6%
Chandler
3.6%
Chandler +
Poverty Rate
Anchorage
9.3%
Chandler
7.7%
Chandler +
Bachelor's Degree+
Anchorage
37.7%
Chandler
46.8%
Chandler +
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Chandler, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $98,152 | $103,691 | Chandler + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,338 | $51,746 | Chandler + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,233 | $59,120 | Anchorage + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 3.6% | Chandler + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.3% | 7.7% | Chandler + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.7% | 46.8% | Chandler + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Anchorage
$414,014
Anchorage +
Chandler
$524,013
Homeownership Rate
Anchorage
63.7%
Chandler
65.6%
Chandler +
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Chandler, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $414,014 | $524,013 | Anchorage + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.7% | 65.6% | Chandler + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Anchorage
780
Chandler
450
Chandler +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Anchorage
1849
Anchorage +
Chandler
2150
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Chandler, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 780 | 450 | Chandler + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1849 | 2150 | Anchorage + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
35.2%
Chandler
28.2%
Chandler +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
9.0%
Anchorage +
Chandler
9.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Anchorage
16.4%
Chandler
14.1%
Chandler +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
9.7%
Chandler
9.7%
Tie
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
18.0%
Chandler
16.7%
Chandler +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
14.4%
Chandler
9.4%
Chandler +
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Chandler, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.2% | 28.2% | Chandler + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.0% | 9.1% | Anchorage + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.4% | 14.1% | Chandler + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 9.7% | Tie |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 16.7% | Chandler + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 9.4% | Chandler + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Anchorage
37.0°F
Chandler
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Anchorage
16.7 in
Chandler
N/A
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Chandler, AZ | 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
Chandler
7.1 µg/m³
Chandler +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Anchorage
75.0%
Chandler
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Chandler, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Chandler + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Anchorage
20.4 min
Anchorage +
Chandler
26.1 min
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Chandler, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.4 min | 26.1 min | Anchorage + |
Which City is Right for You?
Chandler leads in median household income at $103,691, while anchorage offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $414,014. On public safety, Chandler is safer with a violent crime rate of 450 per 100,000 residents, compared to 780 in Anchorage. Chandler has a lower unemployment rate at 3.6%, and Chandler has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Chandler scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.2%.
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