Anchorage AK vs Lancaster 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%
Lancaster, CA
California · Population: 170,013
- Median HH Income$76,083
- Median Home Price$466,147
- Unemployment7.1%
- Bachelor's+20.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Anchorage
289,069
Anchorage +
Lancaster
170,013
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Anchorage
N/A
Lancaster
N/A
Median Age
Anchorage
34.9
Lancaster
34.2
Lancaster +
Foreign Born
Anchorage
10.9%
Lancaster
13.9%
Lancaster +
White
Anchorage
58.3%
Anchorage +
Lancaster
35.5%
Black
Anchorage
5.3%
Lancaster
21.4%
Lancaster +
Asian
Anchorage
9.8%
Anchorage +
Lancaster
4.0%
Hispanic
Anchorage
9.3%
Lancaster
45.9%
Lancaster +
Spanish at Home
Anchorage
N/A
Lancaster
N/A
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 289,069 | 170,013 | Anchorage + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.9 | 34.2 | Lancaster + |
| Foreign Born | 10.9% | 13.9% | Lancaster + |
| White | 58.3% | 35.5% | Anchorage + |
| Black | 5.3% | 21.4% | Lancaster + |
| Asian | 9.8% | 4.0% | Anchorage + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 45.9% | Lancaster + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Anchorage
$98,152
Anchorage +
Lancaster
$76,083
Per Capita Income
Anchorage
$49,338
Anchorage +
Lancaster
$29,766
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Anchorage
$69,233
Lancaster
$77,230
Lancaster +
Unemployment Rate
Anchorage
4.6%
Anchorage +
Lancaster
7.1%
Poverty Rate
Anchorage
9.3%
Anchorage +
Lancaster
15.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Anchorage
37.7%
Anchorage +
Lancaster
20.1%
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $98,152 | $76,083 | Anchorage + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,338 | $29,766 | Anchorage + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,233 | $77,230 | Lancaster + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 7.1% | Anchorage + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.3% | 15.5% | Anchorage + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.7% | 20.1% | Anchorage + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Anchorage
$414,014
Anchorage +
Lancaster
$466,147
Homeownership Rate
Anchorage
63.7%
Anchorage +
Lancaster
58.4%
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $414,014 | $466,147 | Anchorage + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.7% | 58.4% | Anchorage + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Anchorage
780
Lancaster
503
Lancaster +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Anchorage
1849
Anchorage +
Lancaster
2388
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 780 | 503 | Lancaster + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1849 | 2388 | Anchorage + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
35.2%
Lancaster
30.6%
Lancaster +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
9.0%
Anchorage +
Lancaster
12.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Anchorage
16.4%
Anchorage +
Lancaster
19.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
9.7%
Anchorage +
Lancaster
12.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
18.0%
Lancaster
15.8%
Lancaster +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
14.4%
Lancaster
14.0%
Lancaster +
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.2% | 30.6% | Lancaster + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.0% | 12.6% | Anchorage + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.4% | 19.3% | Anchorage + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 12.9% | Anchorage + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 15.8% | Lancaster + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 14.0% | Lancaster + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Anchorage
37.0°F
Anchorage +
Lancaster
62.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Anchorage
16.7 in
Lancaster
7.4 in
Lancaster +
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.0°F | 62.1°F | Anchorage + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.7 in | 7.4 in | Lancaster + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Anchorage
7.6 µg/m³
Anchorage +
Lancaster
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Anchorage
75.0%
Lancaster
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Lancaster, 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 +
Lancaster
33.0 min
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.4 min | 33.0 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, Lancaster 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, Lancaster scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.6%.
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