Anchorage AK vs Houston TX — 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%
Houston, TX
Texas · Population: 2,300,419
- Median HH Income$62,894
- Median Home Price$265,062
- Unemployment6.7%
- Bachelor's+36.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Anchorage
289,069
Houston
2,300,419
Houston +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Anchorage
N/A
Houston
N/A
Median Age
Anchorage
34.9
Houston
34.3
Houston +
Foreign Born
Anchorage
10.9%
Houston
28.8%
Houston +
White
Anchorage
58.3%
Anchorage +
Houston
35.5%
Black
Anchorage
5.3%
Houston
22.9%
Houston +
Asian
Anchorage
9.8%
Anchorage +
Houston
6.9%
Hispanic
Anchorage
9.3%
Houston
44.1%
Houston +
Spanish at Home
Anchorage
N/A
Houston
N/A
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 289,069 | 2,300,419 | Houston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.9 | 34.3 | Houston + |
| Foreign Born | 10.9% | 28.8% | Houston + |
| White | 58.3% | 35.5% | Anchorage + |
| Black | 5.3% | 22.9% | Houston + |
| Asian | 9.8% | 6.9% | Anchorage + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 44.1% | Houston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Anchorage
$98,152
Anchorage +
Houston
$62,894
Per Capita Income
Anchorage
$49,338
Anchorage +
Houston
$41,142
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Anchorage
$69,233
Anchorage +
Houston
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Anchorage
4.6%
Anchorage +
Houston
6.7%
Poverty Rate
Anchorage
9.3%
Anchorage +
Houston
19.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Anchorage
37.7%
Anchorage +
Houston
36.0%
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $98,152 | $62,894 | Anchorage + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,338 | $41,142 | Anchorage + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,233 | $63,758 | Anchorage + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 6.7% | Anchorage + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.3% | 19.7% | Anchorage + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.7% | 36.0% | Anchorage + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Anchorage
$414,014
Houston
$265,062
Houston +
Homeownership Rate
Anchorage
63.7%
Anchorage +
Houston
42.0%
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $414,014 | $265,062 | Houston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.7% | 42.0% | Anchorage + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Anchorage
780
Houston
442
Houston +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Anchorage
1849
Anchorage +
Houston
2339
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 780 | 442 | Houston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1849 | 2339 | Anchorage + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
35.2%
Anchorage +
Houston
38.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
9.0%
Anchorage +
Houston
13.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Anchorage
16.4%
Anchorage +
Houston
17.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
9.7%
Anchorage +
Houston
24.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
18.0%
Houston
16.7%
Houston +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
14.4%
Houston
13.6%
Houston +
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.2% | 38.0% | Anchorage + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.0% | 13.9% | Anchorage + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.4% | 17.1% | Anchorage + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 24.0% | Anchorage + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 16.7% | Houston + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 13.6% | Houston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Anchorage
37.0°F
Houston
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Anchorage
16.7 in
Anchorage +
Houston
48.7 in
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.0°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.7 in | 48.7 in | Anchorage + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Anchorage
7.6 µg/m³
Anchorage +
Houston
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Anchorage
75.0%
Anchorage +
Houston
55.0%
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Anchorage + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Anchorage + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Anchorage
20.4 min
Anchorage +
Houston
29.6 min
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.4 min | 29.6 min | Anchorage + |
Which City is Right for You?
Anchorage leads in median household income at $98,152, while houston offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $265,062. On public safety, Houston is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 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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