Anchorage AK vs Chicago IL — 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%
Chicago, IL
Illinois · Population: 2,707,648
- Median HH Income$75,134
- Median Home Price$324,183
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+43.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Anchorage
289,069
Chicago
2,707,648
Chicago +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Anchorage
N/A
Chicago
N/A
Median Age
Anchorage
34.9
Anchorage +
Chicago
35.7
Foreign Born
Anchorage
10.9%
Chicago
20.7%
Chicago +
White
Anchorage
58.3%
Anchorage +
Chicago
39.1%
Black
Anchorage
5.3%
Chicago
28.4%
Chicago +
Asian
Anchorage
9.8%
Anchorage +
Chicago
7.1%
Hispanic
Anchorage
9.3%
Chicago
29.6%
Chicago +
Spanish at Home
Anchorage
N/A
Chicago
N/A
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 289,069 | 2,707,648 | Chicago + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.9 | 35.7 | Anchorage + |
| Foreign Born | 10.9% | 20.7% | Chicago + |
| White | 58.3% | 39.1% | Anchorage + |
| Black | 5.3% | 28.4% | Chicago + |
| Asian | 9.8% | 7.1% | Anchorage + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 29.6% | Chicago + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Anchorage
$98,152
Anchorage +
Chicago
$75,134
Per Capita Income
Anchorage
$49,338
Anchorage +
Chicago
$48,148
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Anchorage
$69,233
Anchorage +
Chicago
$68,110
Unemployment Rate
Anchorage
4.6%
Anchorage +
Chicago
7.9%
Poverty Rate
Anchorage
9.3%
Anchorage +
Chicago
16.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Anchorage
37.7%
Chicago
43.3%
Chicago +
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $98,152 | $75,134 | Anchorage + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,338 | $48,148 | Anchorage + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,233 | $68,110 | Anchorage + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 7.9% | Anchorage + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.3% | 16.8% | Anchorage + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.7% | 43.3% | Chicago + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Anchorage
$414,014
Chicago
$324,183
Chicago +
Homeownership Rate
Anchorage
63.7%
Anchorage +
Chicago
45.5%
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $414,014 | $324,183 | Chicago + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.7% | 45.5% | Anchorage + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Anchorage
780
Chicago
344
Chicago +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Anchorage
1849
Chicago
1842
Chicago +
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 780 | 344 | Chicago + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1849 | 1842 | Chicago + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
35.2%
Chicago
32.6%
Chicago +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
9.0%
Anchorage +
Chicago
12.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Anchorage
16.4%
Chicago
16.0%
Chicago +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
9.7%
Anchorage +
Chicago
13.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
18.0%
Anchorage +
Chicago
19.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
14.4%
Chicago
11.9%
Chicago +
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.2% | 32.6% | Chicago + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.0% | 12.0% | Anchorage + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.4% | 16.0% | Chicago + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 13.6% | Anchorage + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 19.0% | Anchorage + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 11.9% | Chicago + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Anchorage
37.0°F
Anchorage +
Chicago
49.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Anchorage
16.7 in
Anchorage +
Chicago
37.8 in
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.0°F | 49.2°F | Anchorage + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.7 in | 37.8 in | Anchorage + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Anchorage
7.6 µg/m³
Anchorage +
Chicago
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Anchorage
75.0%
Anchorage +
Chicago
55.0%
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Anchorage + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Anchorage + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Anchorage
20.4 min
Anchorage +
Chicago
36.5 min
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.4 min | 36.5 min | Anchorage + |
Which City is Right for You?
Anchorage leads in median household income at $98,152, while chicago offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $324,183. On public safety, Chicago is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 780 in Anchorage. Anchorage has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Anchorage has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Chicago scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.6%.
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