Anchorage AK vs Fort Lauderdale FL — 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 Lauderdale, FL
Florida · Population: 183,032
- Median HH Income$79,935
- Median Home Price$510,297
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+39.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Anchorage
289,069
Anchorage +
Fort Lauderdale
183,032
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Anchorage
N/A
Fort Lauderdale
N/A
Median Age
Anchorage
34.9
Anchorage +
Fort Lauderdale
42.9
Foreign Born
Anchorage
10.9%
Fort Lauderdale
26.7%
Fort Lauderdale +
White
Anchorage
58.3%
Anchorage +
Fort Lauderdale
51.3%
Black
Anchorage
5.3%
Fort Lauderdale
28.8%
Fort Lauderdale +
Asian
Anchorage
9.8%
Anchorage +
Fort Lauderdale
1.6%
Hispanic
Anchorage
9.3%
Fort Lauderdale
20.1%
Fort Lauderdale +
Spanish at Home
Anchorage
N/A
Fort Lauderdale
N/A
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 289,069 | 183,032 | Anchorage + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.9 | 42.9 | Anchorage + |
| Foreign Born | 10.9% | 26.7% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| White | 58.3% | 51.3% | Anchorage + |
| Black | 5.3% | 28.8% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Asian | 9.8% | 1.6% | Anchorage + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 20.1% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Anchorage
$98,152
Anchorage +
Fort Lauderdale
$79,935
Per Capita Income
Anchorage
$49,338
Fort Lauderdale
$57,845
Fort Lauderdale +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Anchorage
$69,233
Anchorage +
Fort Lauderdale
$65,328
Unemployment Rate
Anchorage
4.6%
Anchorage +
Fort Lauderdale
5.3%
Poverty Rate
Anchorage
9.3%
Anchorage +
Fort Lauderdale
15.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Anchorage
37.7%
Fort Lauderdale
39.8%
Fort Lauderdale +
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $98,152 | $79,935 | Anchorage + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,338 | $57,845 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,233 | $65,328 | Anchorage + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 5.3% | Anchorage + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.3% | 15.2% | Anchorage + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.7% | 39.8% | Fort Lauderdale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Anchorage
$414,014
Anchorage +
Fort Lauderdale
$510,297
Homeownership Rate
Anchorage
63.7%
Anchorage +
Fort Lauderdale
53.8%
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $414,014 | $510,297 | Anchorage + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.7% | 53.8% | Anchorage + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Anchorage
780
Fort Lauderdale
324
Fort Lauderdale +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Anchorage
1849
Fort Lauderdale
1453
Fort Lauderdale +
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 780 | 324 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1849 | 1453 | Fort Lauderdale + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
35.2%
Fort Lauderdale
30.3%
Fort Lauderdale +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
9.0%
Anchorage +
Fort Lauderdale
12.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Anchorage
16.4%
Fort Lauderdale
16.2%
Fort Lauderdale +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
9.7%
Anchorage +
Fort Lauderdale
14.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
18.0%
Fort Lauderdale
14.9%
Fort Lauderdale +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
14.4%
Fort Lauderdale
13.0%
Fort Lauderdale +
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.2% | 30.3% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.0% | 12.8% | Anchorage + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.4% | 16.2% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 14.7% | Anchorage + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 14.9% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 13.0% | Fort Lauderdale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Anchorage
37.0°F
Anchorage +
Fort Lauderdale
75.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Anchorage
16.7 in
Anchorage +
Fort Lauderdale
66.5 in
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.0°F | 75.5°F | Anchorage + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.7 in | 66.5 in | Anchorage + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Anchorage
7.6 µg/m³
Fort Lauderdale
7.2 µg/m³
Fort Lauderdale +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Anchorage
75.0%
Fort Lauderdale
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Anchorage
20.4 min
Anchorage +
Fort Lauderdale
28.5 min
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.4 min | 28.5 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 Lauderdale is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 780 in Anchorage. Anchorage has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Fort Lauderdale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fort Lauderdale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.3%.
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