Anchorage AK vs Flint MI — 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%
Flint, MI
Michigan · Population: 80,835
- Median HH Income$36,194
- Median Home Price$65,949
- Unemployment17.4%
- Bachelor's+13.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Anchorage
289,069
Anchorage +
Flint
80,835
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Anchorage
N/A
Flint
N/A
Median Age
Anchorage
34.9
Anchorage +
Flint
36.2
Foreign Born
Anchorage
10.9%
Anchorage +
Flint
2.9%
White
Anchorage
58.3%
Anchorage +
Flint
34.4%
Black
Anchorage
5.3%
Flint
56.6%
Flint +
Asian
Anchorage
9.8%
Anchorage +
Flint
0.6%
Hispanic
Anchorage
9.3%
Anchorage +
Flint
4.5%
Spanish at Home
Anchorage
N/A
Flint
N/A
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Flint, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 289,069 | 80,835 | Anchorage + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.9 | 36.2 | Anchorage + |
| Foreign Born | 10.9% | 2.9% | Anchorage + |
| White | 58.3% | 34.4% | Anchorage + |
| Black | 5.3% | 56.6% | Flint + |
| Asian | 9.8% | 0.6% | Anchorage + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 4.5% | Anchorage + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Anchorage
$98,152
Anchorage +
Flint
$36,194
Per Capita Income
Anchorage
$49,338
Anchorage +
Flint
$20,799
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Anchorage
$69,233
Anchorage +
Flint
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Anchorage
4.6%
Anchorage +
Flint
17.4%
Poverty Rate
Anchorage
9.3%
Anchorage +
Flint
34.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Anchorage
37.7%
Anchorage +
Flint
13.1%
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Flint, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $98,152 | $36,194 | Anchorage + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,338 | $20,799 | Anchorage + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,233 | $58,052 | Anchorage + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 17.4% | Anchorage + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.3% | 34.4% | Anchorage + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.7% | 13.1% | Anchorage + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Anchorage
$414,014
Flint
$65,949
Flint +
Homeownership Rate
Anchorage
63.7%
Anchorage +
Flint
54.9%
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Flint, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $414,014 | $65,949 | Flint + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.7% | 54.9% | Anchorage + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Anchorage
780
Flint
471
Flint +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Anchorage
1849
Flint
1590
Flint +
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Flint, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 780 | 471 | Flint + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1849 | 1590 | Flint + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
35.2%
Anchorage +
Flint
50.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
9.0%
Anchorage +
Flint
19.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Anchorage
16.4%
Anchorage +
Flint
23.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
9.7%
Anchorage +
Flint
11.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
18.0%
Flint
12.2%
Flint +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
14.4%
Anchorage +
Flint
25.3%
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Flint, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.2% | 50.5% | Anchorage + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.0% | 19.3% | Anchorage + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.4% | 23.5% | Anchorage + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 11.7% | Anchorage + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 12.2% | Flint + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 25.3% | Anchorage + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Anchorage
37.0°F
Anchorage +
Flint
47.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Anchorage
16.7 in
Anchorage +
Flint
31.7 in
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Flint, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.0°F | 47.0°F | Anchorage + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.7 in | 31.7 in | Anchorage + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Anchorage
7.6 µg/m³
Anchorage +
Flint
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Anchorage
75.0%
Anchorage +
Flint
55.0%
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Flint, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Anchorage + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Anchorage + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Anchorage
20.4 min
Anchorage +
Flint
25.0 min
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Flint, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.4 min | 25.0 min | Anchorage + |
Which City is Right for You?
Anchorage leads in median household income at $98,152, while flint offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $65,949. On public safety, Flint is safer with a violent crime rate of 471 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, Anchorage scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.2%.
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