Anchorage AK vs El Paso TX — 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%
El Paso, TX
Texas · Population: 678,147
- Median HH Income$58,734
- Median Home Price$235,994
- Unemployment6.2%
- Bachelor's+27.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Anchorage
289,069
El Paso
678,147
El Paso +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Anchorage
N/A
El Paso
N/A
Median Age
Anchorage
34.9
El Paso
34.1
El Paso +
Foreign Born
Anchorage
10.9%
El Paso
22.3%
El Paso +
White
Anchorage
58.3%
Anchorage +
El Paso
39.3%
Black
Anchorage
5.3%
Anchorage +
El Paso
3.6%
Asian
Anchorage
9.8%
Anchorage +
El Paso
1.5%
Hispanic
Anchorage
9.3%
El Paso
81.3%
El Paso +
Spanish at Home
Anchorage
N/A
El Paso
N/A
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | El Paso, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 289,069 | 678,147 | El Paso + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.9 | 34.1 | El Paso + |
| Foreign Born | 10.9% | 22.3% | El Paso + |
| White | 58.3% | 39.3% | Anchorage + |
| Black | 5.3% | 3.6% | Anchorage + |
| Asian | 9.8% | 1.5% | Anchorage + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 81.3% | El Paso + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Anchorage
$98,152
Anchorage +
El Paso
$58,734
Per Capita Income
Anchorage
$49,338
Anchorage +
El Paso
$28,942
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Anchorage
$69,233
Anchorage +
El Paso
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Anchorage
4.6%
Anchorage +
El Paso
6.2%
Poverty Rate
Anchorage
9.3%
Anchorage +
El Paso
18.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Anchorage
37.7%
Anchorage +
El Paso
27.5%
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | El Paso, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $98,152 | $58,734 | Anchorage + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,338 | $28,942 | Anchorage + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,233 | $63,758 | Anchorage + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 6.2% | Anchorage + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.3% | 18.4% | Anchorage + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.7% | 27.5% | Anchorage + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Anchorage
$414,014
El Paso
$235,994
El Paso +
Homeownership Rate
Anchorage
63.7%
Anchorage +
El Paso
60.2%
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | El Paso, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $414,014 | $235,994 | El Paso + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.7% | 60.2% | Anchorage + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Anchorage
780
El Paso
442
El Paso +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Anchorage
1849
Anchorage +
El Paso
2339
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | El Paso, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 780 | 442 | El Paso + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1849 | 2339 | Anchorage + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
35.2%
El Paso
33.8%
El Paso +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
9.0%
Anchorage +
El Paso
16.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Anchorage
16.4%
Anchorage +
El Paso
17.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
9.7%
Anchorage +
El Paso
27.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
18.0%
El Paso
16.5%
El Paso +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
14.4%
El Paso
12.2%
El Paso +
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | El Paso, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.2% | 33.8% | El Paso + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.0% | 16.4% | Anchorage + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.4% | 17.2% | Anchorage + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 27.9% | Anchorage + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 16.5% | El Paso + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 12.2% | El Paso + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Anchorage
37.0°F
Anchorage +
El Paso
64.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Anchorage
16.7 in
El Paso
10.5 in
El Paso +
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | El Paso, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.0°F | 64.3°F | Anchorage + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.7 in | 10.5 in | El Paso + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Anchorage
7.6 µg/m³
Anchorage +
El Paso
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Anchorage
75.0%
Anchorage +
El Paso
55.0%
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | El Paso, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Anchorage + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Anchorage + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Anchorage
20.4 min
Anchorage +
El Paso
25.1 min
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | El Paso, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.4 min | 25.1 min | Anchorage + |
Which City is Right for You?
Anchorage leads in median household income at $98,152, while el Paso offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $235,994. On public safety, El Paso is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 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, El Paso scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.8%.
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