Anchorage AK vs Fort Collins CO — 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%
Fort Collins, CO
Colorado · Population: 169,705
- Median HH Income$83,598
- Median Home Price$568,389
- Unemployment5.2%
- Bachelor's+59.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Anchorage
289,069
Anchorage +
Fort Collins
169,705
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Anchorage
N/A
Fort Collins
N/A
Median Age
Anchorage
34.9
Fort Collins
30.6
Fort Collins +
Foreign Born
Anchorage
10.9%
Anchorage +
Fort Collins
6.6%
White
Anchorage
58.3%
Fort Collins
81.7%
Fort Collins +
Black
Anchorage
5.3%
Anchorage +
Fort Collins
1.4%
Asian
Anchorage
9.8%
Anchorage +
Fort Collins
3.4%
Hispanic
Anchorage
9.3%
Fort Collins
12.3%
Fort Collins +
Spanish at Home
Anchorage
N/A
Fort Collins
N/A
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 289,069 | 169,705 | Anchorage + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.9 | 30.6 | Fort Collins + |
| Foreign Born | 10.9% | 6.6% | Anchorage + |
| White | 58.3% | 81.7% | Fort Collins + |
| Black | 5.3% | 1.4% | Anchorage + |
| Asian | 9.8% | 3.4% | Anchorage + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 12.3% | Fort Collins + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Anchorage
$98,152
Anchorage +
Fort Collins
$83,598
Per Capita Income
Anchorage
$49,338
Anchorage +
Fort Collins
$46,341
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Anchorage
$69,233
Fort Collins
$76,653
Fort Collins +
Unemployment Rate
Anchorage
4.6%
Anchorage +
Fort Collins
5.2%
Poverty Rate
Anchorage
9.3%
Anchorage +
Fort Collins
16.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Anchorage
37.7%
Fort Collins
59.9%
Fort Collins +
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $98,152 | $83,598 | Anchorage + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,338 | $46,341 | Anchorage + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,233 | $76,653 | Fort Collins + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 5.2% | Anchorage + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.3% | 16.0% | Anchorage + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.7% | 59.9% | Fort Collins + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Anchorage
$414,014
Anchorage +
Fort Collins
$568,389
Homeownership Rate
Anchorage
63.7%
Anchorage +
Fort Collins
52.1%
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $414,014 | $568,389 | Anchorage + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.7% | 52.1% | Anchorage + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Anchorage
780
Fort Collins
512
Fort Collins +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Anchorage
1849
Anchorage +
Fort Collins
3234
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 780 | 512 | Fort Collins + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1849 | 3234 | Anchorage + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
35.2%
Fort Collins
23.8%
Fort Collins +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
9.0%
Fort Collins
6.2%
Fort Collins +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Anchorage
16.4%
Anchorage +
Fort Collins
18.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
9.7%
Fort Collins
9.4%
Fort Collins +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
18.0%
Anchorage +
Fort Collins
20.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
14.4%
Fort Collins
9.9%
Fort Collins +
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.2% | 23.8% | Fort Collins + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.0% | 6.2% | Fort Collins + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.4% | 18.7% | Anchorage + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 9.4% | Fort Collins + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 20.3% | Anchorage + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 9.9% | Fort Collins + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Anchorage
37.0°F
Anchorage +
Fort Collins
50.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Anchorage
16.7 in
Fort Collins
16.1 in
Fort Collins +
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.0°F | 50.3°F | Anchorage + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.7 in | 16.1 in | Fort Collins + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Anchorage
7.6 µg/m³
Fort Collins
6.2 µg/m³
Fort Collins +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Anchorage
75.0%
Fort Collins
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Fort Collins + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Anchorage
20.4 min
Anchorage +
Fort Collins
21.8 min
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.4 min | 21.8 min | Anchorage + |
Which City is Right for You?
Anchorage leads in median household income at $98,152, while anchorage offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $414,014. On public safety, Fort Collins is safer with a violent crime rate of 512 per 100,000 residents, compared to 780 in Anchorage. Anchorage has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Fort Collins has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fort Collins scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.8%.
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