Anchorage AK vs Lakeland FL — 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%
Lakeland, FL
Florida · Population: 82,506
- Median HH Income$60,465
- Median Home Price$312,001
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+26.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Anchorage
289,069
Anchorage +
Lakeland
82,506
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Anchorage
N/A
Lakeland
N/A
Median Age
Anchorage
34.9
Anchorage +
Lakeland
48.4
Foreign Born
Anchorage
10.9%
Lakeland
12.9%
Lakeland +
White
Anchorage
58.3%
Lakeland
74.1%
Lakeland +
Black
Anchorage
5.3%
Lakeland
8.8%
Lakeland +
Asian
Anchorage
9.8%
Anchorage +
Lakeland
3.7%
Hispanic
Anchorage
9.3%
Lakeland
14.4%
Lakeland +
Spanish at Home
Anchorage
N/A
Lakeland
N/A
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 289,069 | 82,506 | Anchorage + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.9 | 48.4 | Anchorage + |
| Foreign Born | 10.9% | 12.9% | Lakeland + |
| White | 58.3% | 74.1% | Lakeland + |
| Black | 5.3% | 8.8% | Lakeland + |
| Asian | 9.8% | 3.7% | Anchorage + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 14.4% | Lakeland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Anchorage
$98,152
Anchorage +
Lakeland
$60,465
Per Capita Income
Anchorage
$49,338
Anchorage +
Lakeland
$36,322
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Anchorage
$69,233
Anchorage +
Lakeland
$65,328
Unemployment Rate
Anchorage
4.6%
Lakeland
4.3%
Lakeland +
Poverty Rate
Anchorage
9.3%
Anchorage +
Lakeland
12.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Anchorage
37.7%
Anchorage +
Lakeland
26.8%
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $98,152 | $60,465 | Anchorage + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,338 | $36,322 | Anchorage + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,233 | $65,328 | Anchorage + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 4.3% | Lakeland + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.3% | 12.0% | Anchorage + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.7% | 26.8% | Anchorage + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Anchorage
$414,014
Lakeland
$312,001
Lakeland +
Homeownership Rate
Anchorage
63.7%
Anchorage +
Lakeland
61.1%
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $414,014 | $312,001 | Lakeland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.7% | 61.1% | Anchorage + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Anchorage
780
Lakeland
324
Lakeland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Anchorage
1849
Lakeland
1453
Lakeland +
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 780 | 324 | Lakeland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1849 | 1453 | Lakeland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
35.2%
Anchorage +
Lakeland
38.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
9.0%
Anchorage +
Lakeland
13.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Anchorage
16.4%
Anchorage +
Lakeland
18.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
9.7%
Anchorage +
Lakeland
16.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
18.0%
Lakeland
14.9%
Lakeland +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
14.4%
Lakeland
14.1%
Lakeland +
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.2% | 38.9% | Anchorage + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.0% | 13.3% | Anchorage + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.4% | 18.3% | Anchorage + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 16.4% | Anchorage + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 14.9% | Lakeland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 14.1% | Lakeland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Anchorage
37.0°F
Anchorage +
Lakeland
72.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Anchorage
16.7 in
Anchorage +
Lakeland
54.8 in
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.0°F | 72.6°F | Anchorage + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.7 in | 54.8 in | Anchorage + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Anchorage
7.6 µg/m³
Lakeland
7.2 µg/m³
Lakeland +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Anchorage
75.0%
Lakeland
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Lakeland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Anchorage
20.4 min
Anchorage +
Lakeland
25.6 min
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.4 min | 25.6 min | Anchorage + |
Which City is Right for You?
Anchorage leads in median household income at $98,152, while lakeland offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $312,001. On public safety, Lakeland is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 780 in Anchorage. Lakeland has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Lakeland has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Anchorage scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.2%.
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