Anchorage AK vs Columbia MO — 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%
Columbia, MO
Missouri · Population: 127,200
- Median HH Income$64,488
- Median Home Price$323,876
- Unemployment3.9%
- Bachelor's+56.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Anchorage
289,069
Anchorage +
Columbia
127,200
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Anchorage
N/A
Columbia
N/A
Median Age
Anchorage
34.9
Columbia
29.2
Columbia +
Foreign Born
Anchorage
10.9%
Anchorage +
Columbia
8.1%
White
Anchorage
58.3%
Columbia
74.3%
Columbia +
Black
Anchorage
5.3%
Columbia
12.1%
Columbia +
Asian
Anchorage
9.8%
Anchorage +
Columbia
6.1%
Hispanic
Anchorage
9.3%
Anchorage +
Columbia
4.3%
Spanish at Home
Anchorage
N/A
Columbia
N/A
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Columbia, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 289,069 | 127,200 | Anchorage + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.9 | 29.2 | Columbia + |
| Foreign Born | 10.9% | 8.1% | Anchorage + |
| White | 58.3% | 74.3% | Columbia + |
| Black | 5.3% | 12.1% | Columbia + |
| Asian | 9.8% | 6.1% | Anchorage + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 4.3% | Anchorage + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Anchorage
$98,152
Anchorage +
Columbia
$64,488
Per Capita Income
Anchorage
$49,338
Anchorage +
Columbia
$37,359
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Anchorage
$69,233
Anchorage +
Columbia
$58,527
Unemployment Rate
Anchorage
4.6%
Columbia
3.9%
Columbia +
Poverty Rate
Anchorage
9.3%
Anchorage +
Columbia
20.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Anchorage
37.7%
Columbia
56.5%
Columbia +
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Columbia, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $98,152 | $64,488 | Anchorage + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,338 | $37,359 | Anchorage + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,233 | $58,527 | Anchorage + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 3.9% | Columbia + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.3% | 20.0% | Anchorage + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.7% | 56.5% | Columbia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Anchorage
$414,014
Columbia
$323,876
Columbia +
Homeownership Rate
Anchorage
63.7%
Anchorage +
Columbia
49.4%
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Columbia, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $414,014 | $323,876 | Columbia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.7% | 49.4% | Anchorage + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Anchorage
780
Columbia
501
Columbia +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Anchorage
1849
Anchorage +
Columbia
2418
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Columbia, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 780 | 501 | Columbia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1849 | 2418 | Anchorage + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
35.2%
Columbia
30.1%
Columbia +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
9.0%
Columbia
8.5%
Columbia +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Anchorage
16.4%
Anchorage +
Columbia
19.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
9.7%
Columbia
8.4%
Columbia +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
18.0%
Anchorage +
Columbia
18.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
14.4%
Columbia
12.4%
Columbia +
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Columbia, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.2% | 30.1% | Columbia + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.0% | 8.5% | Columbia + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.4% | 19.1% | Anchorage + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 8.4% | Columbia + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 18.5% | Anchorage + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 12.4% | Columbia + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Anchorage
37.0°F
Anchorage +
Columbia
56.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Anchorage
16.7 in
Anchorage +
Columbia
46.3 in
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Columbia, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.0°F | 56.0°F | Anchorage + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.7 in | 46.3 in | Anchorage + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Anchorage
7.6 µg/m³
Anchorage +
Columbia
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Anchorage
75.0%
Anchorage +
Columbia
55.0%
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Columbia, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Anchorage + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Anchorage + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Anchorage
20.4 min
Columbia
18.2 min
Columbia +
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Columbia, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.4 min | 18.2 min | Columbia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Anchorage leads in median household income at $98,152, while columbia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $323,876. On public safety, Columbia is safer with a violent crime rate of 501 per 100,000 residents, compared to 780 in Anchorage. Columbia has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Anchorage has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Columbia scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.1%.
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