Anchorage AK vs Chula Vista CA — 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%
Chula Vista, CA
California · Population: 8,933
- Median HH Income$104,238
- Median Home Price$849,245
- Unemployment2.2%
- Bachelor's+26.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Anchorage
289,069
Anchorage +
Chula Vista
8,933
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Anchorage
N/A
Chula Vista
N/A
Median Age
Anchorage
34.9
Anchorage +
Chula Vista
42.9
Foreign Born
Anchorage
10.9%
Chula Vista
20.0%
Chula Vista +
White
Anchorage
58.3%
Chula Vista
65.7%
Chula Vista +
Black
Anchorage
5.3%
Anchorage +
Chula Vista
0.7%
Asian
Anchorage
9.8%
Anchorage +
Chula Vista
0.7%
Hispanic
Anchorage
9.3%
Chula Vista
36.5%
Chula Vista +
Spanish at Home
Anchorage
N/A
Chula Vista
N/A
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Chula Vista, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 289,069 | 8,933 | Anchorage + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.9 | 42.9 | Anchorage + |
| Foreign Born | 10.9% | 20.0% | Chula Vista + |
| White | 58.3% | 65.7% | Chula Vista + |
| Black | 5.3% | 0.7% | Anchorage + |
| Asian | 9.8% | 0.7% | Anchorage + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 36.5% | Chula Vista + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Anchorage
$98,152
Chula Vista
$104,238
Chula Vista +
Per Capita Income
Anchorage
$49,338
Chula Vista
$49,562
Chula Vista +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Anchorage
$69,233
Chula Vista
$77,230
Chula Vista +
Unemployment Rate
Anchorage
4.6%
Chula Vista
2.2%
Chula Vista +
Poverty Rate
Anchorage
9.3%
Chula Vista
4.5%
Chula Vista +
Bachelor's Degree+
Anchorage
37.7%
Anchorage +
Chula Vista
26.9%
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Chula Vista, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $98,152 | $104,238 | Chula Vista + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,338 | $49,562 | Chula Vista + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,233 | $77,230 | Chula Vista + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 2.2% | Chula Vista + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.3% | 4.5% | Chula Vista + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.7% | 26.9% | Anchorage + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Anchorage
$414,014
Anchorage +
Chula Vista
$849,245
Homeownership Rate
Anchorage
63.7%
Chula Vista
71.4%
Chula Vista +
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Chula Vista, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $414,014 | $849,245 | Anchorage + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.7% | 71.4% | Chula Vista + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Anchorage
780
Chula Vista
503
Chula Vista +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Anchorage
1849
Anchorage +
Chula Vista
2388
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Chula Vista, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 780 | 503 | Chula Vista + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1849 | 2388 | Anchorage + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
35.2%
Chula Vista
26.6%
Chula Vista +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
9.0%
Anchorage +
Chula Vista
11.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Anchorage
16.4%
Chula Vista
16.0%
Chula Vista +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
9.7%
Anchorage +
Chula Vista
12.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
18.0%
Chula Vista
15.7%
Chula Vista +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
14.4%
Chula Vista
9.6%
Chula Vista +
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Chula Vista, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.2% | 26.6% | Chula Vista + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.0% | 11.4% | Anchorage + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.4% | 16.0% | Chula Vista + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 12.4% | Anchorage + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 15.7% | Chula Vista + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 9.6% | Chula Vista + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Anchorage
37.0°F
Anchorage +
Chula Vista
63.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Anchorage
16.7 in
Chula Vista
9.8 in
Chula Vista +
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Chula Vista, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.0°F | 63.5°F | Anchorage + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.7 in | 9.8 in | Chula Vista + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Anchorage
7.6 µg/m³
Anchorage +
Chula Vista
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Anchorage
75.0%
Chula Vista
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Chula Vista, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Anchorage + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Anchorage
20.4 min
Anchorage +
Chula Vista
26.9 min
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Chula Vista, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.4 min | 26.9 min | Anchorage + |
Which City is Right for You?
Chula Vista leads in median household income at $104,238, while anchorage offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $414,014. On public safety, Chula Vista is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 780 in Anchorage. Chula Vista has a lower unemployment rate at 2.2%, and Anchorage has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Chula Vista scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.6%.
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