Anchorage AK vs Kent WA — 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%
Kent, WA
Washington · Population: 84,389
- Median HH Income$72,867
- Median Home Price$657,911
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+27.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Anchorage
289,069
Anchorage +
Kent
84,389
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Anchorage
N/A
Kent
N/A
Median Age
Anchorage
34.9
Anchorage +
Kent
35.8
Foreign Born
Anchorage
10.9%
Kent
14.1%
Kent +
White
Anchorage
58.3%
Kent
67.2%
Kent +
Black
Anchorage
5.3%
Anchorage +
Kent
2.3%
Asian
Anchorage
9.8%
Anchorage +
Kent
1.9%
Hispanic
Anchorage
9.3%
Kent
31.8%
Kent +
Spanish at Home
Anchorage
N/A
Kent
N/A
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 289,069 | 84,389 | Anchorage + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.9 | 35.8 | Anchorage + |
| Foreign Born | 10.9% | 14.1% | Kent + |
| White | 58.3% | 67.2% | Kent + |
| Black | 5.3% | 2.3% | Anchorage + |
| Asian | 9.8% | 1.9% | Anchorage + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 31.8% | Kent + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Anchorage
$98,152
Anchorage +
Kent
$72,867
Per Capita Income
Anchorage
$49,338
Anchorage +
Kent
$35,662
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Anchorage
$69,233
Kent
$76,120
Kent +
Unemployment Rate
Anchorage
4.6%
Anchorage +
Kent
4.9%
Poverty Rate
Anchorage
9.3%
Anchorage +
Kent
13.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Anchorage
37.7%
Anchorage +
Kent
27.0%
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $98,152 | $72,867 | Anchorage + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,338 | $35,662 | Anchorage + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,233 | $76,120 | Kent + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 4.9% | Anchorage + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.3% | 13.9% | Anchorage + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.7% | 27.0% | Anchorage + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Anchorage
$414,014
Anchorage +
Kent
$657,911
Homeownership Rate
Anchorage
63.7%
Anchorage +
Kent
62.8%
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $414,014 | $657,911 | Anchorage + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.7% | 62.8% | Anchorage + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Anchorage
780
Kent
383
Kent +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Anchorage
1849
Anchorage +
Kent
3409
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 780 | 383 | Kent + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1849 | 3409 | Anchorage + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
35.2%
Kent
25.7%
Kent +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
9.0%
Anchorage +
Kent
9.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Anchorage
16.4%
Anchorage +
Kent
17.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
9.7%
Anchorage +
Kent
10.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
18.0%
Kent
15.7%
Kent +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
14.4%
Kent
10.3%
Kent +
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.2% | 25.7% | Kent + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.0% | 9.3% | Anchorage + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.4% | 17.2% | Anchorage + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 10.6% | Anchorage + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 15.7% | Kent + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 10.3% | Kent + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Anchorage
37.0°F
Anchorage +
Kent
53.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Anchorage
16.7 in
Anchorage +
Kent
39.1 in
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.0°F | 53.2°F | Anchorage + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.7 in | 39.1 in | Anchorage + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Anchorage
7.6 µg/m³
Kent
7.5 µg/m³
Kent +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Anchorage
75.0%
Kent
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Kent + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Anchorage
20.4 min
Anchorage +
Kent
23.0 min
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.4 min | 23.0 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, Kent is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 780 in Anchorage. Anchorage has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Kent has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Kent scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.7%.
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