Anchorage AK vs Irvine 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%
Irvine, CA
California · Population: 308,160
- Median HH Income$129,647
- Median Home Price$1,566,872
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+70.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Anchorage
289,069
Irvine
308,160
Irvine +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Anchorage
N/A
Irvine
N/A
Median Age
Anchorage
34.9
Irvine
33.9
Irvine +
Foreign Born
Anchorage
10.9%
Irvine
39.3%
Irvine +
White
Anchorage
58.3%
Anchorage +
Irvine
38.7%
Black
Anchorage
5.3%
Anchorage +
Irvine
2.0%
Asian
Anchorage
9.8%
Irvine
44.1%
Irvine +
Hispanic
Anchorage
9.3%
Irvine
11.3%
Irvine +
Spanish at Home
Anchorage
N/A
Irvine
N/A
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Irvine, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 289,069 | 308,160 | Irvine + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.9 | 33.9 | Irvine + |
| Foreign Born | 10.9% | 39.3% | Irvine + |
| White | 58.3% | 38.7% | Anchorage + |
| Black | 5.3% | 2.0% | Anchorage + |
| Asian | 9.8% | 44.1% | Irvine + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 11.3% | Irvine + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Anchorage
$98,152
Irvine
$129,647
Irvine +
Per Capita Income
Anchorage
$49,338
Irvine
$62,149
Irvine +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Anchorage
$69,233
Irvine
$77,230
Irvine +
Unemployment Rate
Anchorage
4.6%
Anchorage +
Irvine
5.5%
Poverty Rate
Anchorage
9.3%
Anchorage +
Irvine
11.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Anchorage
37.7%
Irvine
70.6%
Irvine +
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Irvine, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $98,152 | $129,647 | Irvine + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,338 | $62,149 | Irvine + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,233 | $77,230 | Irvine + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 5.5% | Anchorage + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.3% | 11.7% | Anchorage + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.7% | 70.6% | Irvine + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Anchorage
$414,014
Anchorage +
Irvine
$1,566,872
Homeownership Rate
Anchorage
63.7%
Anchorage +
Irvine
43.8%
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Irvine, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $414,014 | $1,566,872 | Anchorage + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.7% | 43.8% | Anchorage + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Anchorage
780
Irvine
503
Irvine +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Anchorage
1849
Anchorage +
Irvine
2388
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Irvine, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 780 | 503 | Irvine + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1849 | 2388 | Anchorage + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
35.2%
Irvine
19.2%
Irvine +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
9.0%
Irvine
8.3%
Irvine +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Anchorage
16.4%
Irvine
15.4%
Irvine +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
9.7%
Irvine
5.0%
Irvine +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
18.0%
Irvine
15.2%
Irvine +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
14.4%
Irvine
6.9%
Irvine +
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Irvine, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.2% | 19.2% | Irvine + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.0% | 8.3% | Irvine + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.4% | 15.4% | Irvine + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 5.0% | Irvine + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 15.2% | Irvine + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 6.9% | Irvine + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Anchorage
37.0°F
Anchorage +
Irvine
65.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Anchorage
16.7 in
Irvine
14.3 in
Irvine +
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Irvine, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.0°F | 65.3°F | Anchorage + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.7 in | 14.3 in | Irvine + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Anchorage
7.6 µg/m³
Anchorage +
Irvine
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Anchorage
75.0%
Irvine
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Irvine, 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 +
Irvine
26.0 min
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Irvine, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.4 min | 26.0 min | Anchorage + |
Which City is Right for You?
Irvine leads in median household income at $129,647, while anchorage offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $414,014. On public safety, Irvine 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, Irvine scores better with a lower obesity rate of 19.2%.
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