Anchorage AK vs Glendale CA — 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%
Glendale, CA
California · Population: 192,270
- Median HH Income$84,262
- Median Home Price$1,205,826
- Unemployment8.2%
- Bachelor's+45.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Anchorage
289,069
Anchorage +
Glendale
192,270
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Anchorage
N/A
Glendale
N/A
Median Age
Anchorage
34.9
Anchorage +
Glendale
41.4
Foreign Born
Anchorage
10.9%
Glendale
51.0%
Glendale +
White
Anchorage
58.3%
Glendale
67.4%
Glendale +
Black
Anchorage
5.3%
Anchorage +
Glendale
1.7%
Asian
Anchorage
9.8%
Glendale
13.3%
Glendale +
Hispanic
Anchorage
9.3%
Glendale
18.5%
Glendale +
Spanish at Home
Anchorage
N/A
Glendale
N/A
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Glendale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 289,069 | 192,270 | Anchorage + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.9 | 41.4 | Anchorage + |
| Foreign Born | 10.9% | 51.0% | Glendale + |
| White | 58.3% | 67.4% | Glendale + |
| Black | 5.3% | 1.7% | Anchorage + |
| Asian | 9.8% | 13.3% | Glendale + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 18.5% | Glendale + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Anchorage
$98,152
Anchorage +
Glendale
$84,262
Per Capita Income
Anchorage
$49,338
Anchorage +
Glendale
$46,597
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Anchorage
$69,233
Glendale
$77,230
Glendale +
Unemployment Rate
Anchorage
4.6%
Anchorage +
Glendale
8.2%
Poverty Rate
Anchorage
9.3%
Anchorage +
Glendale
13.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Anchorage
37.7%
Glendale
45.5%
Glendale +
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Glendale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $98,152 | $84,262 | Anchorage + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,338 | $46,597 | Anchorage + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,233 | $77,230 | Glendale + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 8.2% | Anchorage + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.3% | 13.4% | Anchorage + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.7% | 45.5% | Glendale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Anchorage
$414,014
Anchorage +
Glendale
$1,205,826
Homeownership Rate
Anchorage
63.7%
Anchorage +
Glendale
35.3%
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Glendale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $414,014 | $1,205,826 | Anchorage + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.7% | 35.3% | Anchorage + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Anchorage
780
Glendale
503
Glendale +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Anchorage
1849
Anchorage +
Glendale
2388
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Glendale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 780 | 503 | Glendale + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1849 | 2388 | Anchorage + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
35.2%
Glendale
24.5%
Glendale +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
9.0%
Anchorage +
Glendale
10.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Anchorage
16.4%
Glendale
16.4%
Tie
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
9.7%
Glendale
6.8%
Glendale +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
18.0%
Glendale
15.6%
Glendale +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
14.4%
Glendale
11.5%
Glendale +
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Glendale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.2% | 24.5% | Glendale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.0% | 10.9% | Anchorage + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.4% | 16.4% | Tie |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 6.8% | Glendale + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 15.6% | Glendale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 11.5% | Glendale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Anchorage
37.0°F
Anchorage +
Glendale
64.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Anchorage
16.7 in
Anchorage +
Glendale
17.3 in
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Glendale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.0°F | 64.1°F | Anchorage + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.7 in | 17.3 in | Anchorage + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Anchorage
7.6 µg/m³
Anchorage +
Glendale
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Anchorage
75.0%
Glendale
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Glendale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Anchorage + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Anchorage
20.4 min
Anchorage +
Glendale
30.2 min
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Glendale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.4 min | 30.2 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, Glendale is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 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, Glendale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.5%.
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