Anchorage AK vs Henderson NV — 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%
Henderson, NV
Nevada · Population: 324,523
- Median HH Income$88,654
- Median Home Price$487,098
- Unemployment6.7%
- Bachelor's+36.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Anchorage
289,069
Henderson
324,523
Henderson +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Anchorage
N/A
Henderson
N/A
Median Age
Anchorage
34.9
Anchorage +
Henderson
42.5
Foreign Born
Anchorage
10.9%
Henderson
14.1%
Henderson +
White
Anchorage
58.3%
Henderson
64.7%
Henderson +
Black
Anchorage
5.3%
Henderson
6.2%
Henderson +
Asian
Anchorage
9.8%
Anchorage +
Henderson
9.5%
Hispanic
Anchorage
9.3%
Henderson
18.3%
Henderson +
Spanish at Home
Anchorage
N/A
Henderson
N/A
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Henderson, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 289,069 | 324,523 | Henderson + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.9 | 42.5 | Anchorage + |
| Foreign Born | 10.9% | 14.1% | Henderson + |
| White | 58.3% | 64.7% | Henderson + |
| Black | 5.3% | 6.2% | Henderson + |
| Asian | 9.8% | 9.5% | Anchorage + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 18.3% | Henderson + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Anchorage
$98,152
Anchorage +
Henderson
$88,654
Per Capita Income
Anchorage
$49,338
Anchorage +
Henderson
$49,141
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Anchorage
$69,233
Anchorage +
Henderson
$62,696
Unemployment Rate
Anchorage
4.6%
Anchorage +
Henderson
6.7%
Poverty Rate
Anchorage
9.3%
Henderson
8.4%
Henderson +
Bachelor's Degree+
Anchorage
37.7%
Anchorage +
Henderson
36.8%
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Henderson, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $98,152 | $88,654 | Anchorage + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,338 | $49,141 | Anchorage + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,233 | $62,696 | Anchorage + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 6.7% | Anchorage + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.3% | 8.4% | Henderson + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.7% | 36.8% | Anchorage + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Anchorage
$414,014
Anchorage +
Henderson
$487,098
Homeownership Rate
Anchorage
63.7%
Henderson
65.6%
Henderson +
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Henderson, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $414,014 | $487,098 | Anchorage + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.7% | 65.6% | Henderson + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Anchorage
780
Henderson
460
Henderson +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Anchorage
1849
Anchorage +
Henderson
2417
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Henderson, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 780 | 460 | Henderson + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1849 | 2417 | Anchorage + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
35.2%
Henderson
28.9%
Henderson +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
9.0%
Anchorage +
Henderson
10.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Anchorage
16.4%
Anchorage +
Henderson
17.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
9.7%
Anchorage +
Henderson
10.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
18.0%
Henderson
15.6%
Henderson +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
14.4%
Henderson
12.8%
Henderson +
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Henderson, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.2% | 28.9% | Henderson + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.0% | 10.9% | Anchorage + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.4% | 17.5% | Anchorage + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 10.3% | Anchorage + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 15.6% | Henderson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 12.8% | Henderson + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Anchorage
37.0°F
Henderson
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Anchorage
16.7 in
Henderson
N/A
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Henderson, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.0°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.7 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Anchorage
7.6 µg/m³
Henderson
5.2 µg/m³
Henderson +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Anchorage
75.0%
Henderson
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Henderson, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 5.2 µg/m³ | Henderson + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Anchorage
20.4 min
Anchorage +
Henderson
26.0 min
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Henderson, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.4 min | 26.0 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, Henderson is safer with a violent crime rate of 460 per 100,000 residents, compared to 780 in Anchorage. Anchorage has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Henderson has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Henderson scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.9%.
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