Anchorage AK vs Indianapolis IN — 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%
Indianapolis, IN
Indiana · Population: 882,043
- Median HH Income$62,995
- Median Home Price$232,133
- Unemployment5.2%
- Bachelor's+34.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Anchorage
289,069
Indianapolis
882,043
Indianapolis +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Anchorage
N/A
Indianapolis
N/A
Median Age
Anchorage
34.9
Indianapolis
34.1
Indianapolis +
Foreign Born
Anchorage
10.9%
Indianapolis
11.6%
Indianapolis +
White
Anchorage
58.3%
Anchorage +
Indianapolis
53.6%
Black
Anchorage
5.3%
Indianapolis
28.1%
Indianapolis +
Asian
Anchorage
9.8%
Anchorage +
Indianapolis
4.1%
Hispanic
Anchorage
9.3%
Indianapolis
13.3%
Indianapolis +
Spanish at Home
Anchorage
N/A
Indianapolis
N/A
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 289,069 | 882,043 | Indianapolis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.9 | 34.1 | Indianapolis + |
| Foreign Born | 10.9% | 11.6% | Indianapolis + |
| White | 58.3% | 53.6% | Anchorage + |
| Black | 5.3% | 28.1% | Indianapolis + |
| Asian | 9.8% | 4.1% | Anchorage + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 13.3% | Indianapolis + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Anchorage
$98,152
Anchorage +
Indianapolis
$62,995
Per Capita Income
Anchorage
$49,338
Anchorage +
Indianapolis
$36,194
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Anchorage
$69,233
Anchorage +
Indianapolis
$58,697
Unemployment Rate
Anchorage
4.6%
Anchorage +
Indianapolis
5.2%
Poverty Rate
Anchorage
9.3%
Anchorage +
Indianapolis
15.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Anchorage
37.7%
Anchorage +
Indianapolis
34.2%
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $98,152 | $62,995 | Anchorage + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,338 | $36,194 | Anchorage + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,233 | $58,697 | Anchorage + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 5.2% | Anchorage + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.3% | 15.7% | Anchorage + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.7% | 34.2% | Anchorage + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Anchorage
$414,014
Indianapolis
$232,133
Indianapolis +
Homeownership Rate
Anchorage
63.7%
Anchorage +
Indianapolis
55.3%
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $414,014 | $232,133 | Indianapolis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.7% | 55.3% | Anchorage + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Anchorage
780
Indianapolis
370
Indianapolis +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Anchorage
1849
Indianapolis
1719
Indianapolis +
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 780 | 370 | Indianapolis + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1849 | 1719 | Indianapolis + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
35.2%
Indianapolis
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
9.0%
Indianapolis
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Anchorage
16.4%
Indianapolis
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
9.7%
Indianapolis
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
18.0%
Indianapolis
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
14.4%
Indianapolis
N/A
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.2% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.0% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.4% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.4% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Anchorage
37.0°F
Indianapolis
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Anchorage
16.7 in
Anchorage +
Indianapolis
41.8 in
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.0°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.7 in | 41.8 in | Anchorage + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Anchorage
7.6 µg/m³
Anchorage +
Indianapolis
10.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Anchorage
75.0%
Anchorage +
Indianapolis
55.0%
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 10.1 µg/m³ | Anchorage + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Anchorage + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Anchorage
20.4 min
Anchorage +
Indianapolis
25.8 min
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.4 min | 25.8 min | Anchorage + |
Which City is Right for You?
Anchorage leads in median household income at $98,152, while indianapolis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $232,133. On public safety, Indianapolis is safer with a violent crime rate of 370 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).
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