Anchorage AK vs Las Vegas NV — 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%
Las Vegas, NV
Nevada · Population: 650,873
- Median HH Income$70,723
- Median Home Price$426,069
- Unemployment7.2%
- Bachelor's+27.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Anchorage
289,069
Las Vegas
650,873
Las Vegas +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Anchorage
N/A
Las Vegas
N/A
Median Age
Anchorage
34.9
Anchorage +
Las Vegas
38.5
Foreign Born
Anchorage
10.9%
Las Vegas
20.9%
Las Vegas +
White
Anchorage
58.3%
Anchorage +
Las Vegas
49.2%
Black
Anchorage
5.3%
Las Vegas
11.9%
Las Vegas +
Asian
Anchorage
9.8%
Anchorage +
Las Vegas
6.9%
Hispanic
Anchorage
9.3%
Las Vegas
34.1%
Las Vegas +
Spanish at Home
Anchorage
N/A
Las Vegas
N/A
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 289,069 | 650,873 | Las Vegas + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.9 | 38.5 | Anchorage + |
| Foreign Born | 10.9% | 20.9% | Las Vegas + |
| White | 58.3% | 49.2% | Anchorage + |
| Black | 5.3% | 11.9% | Las Vegas + |
| Asian | 9.8% | 6.9% | Anchorage + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 34.1% | Las Vegas + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Anchorage
$98,152
Anchorage +
Las Vegas
$70,723
Per Capita Income
Anchorage
$49,338
Anchorage +
Las Vegas
$38,421
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Anchorage
$69,233
Anchorage +
Las Vegas
$62,696
Unemployment Rate
Anchorage
4.6%
Anchorage +
Las Vegas
7.2%
Poverty Rate
Anchorage
9.3%
Anchorage +
Las Vegas
14.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Anchorage
37.7%
Anchorage +
Las Vegas
27.3%
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $98,152 | $70,723 | Anchorage + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,338 | $38,421 | Anchorage + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,233 | $62,696 | Anchorage + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 7.2% | Anchorage + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.3% | 14.2% | Anchorage + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.7% | 27.3% | Anchorage + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Anchorage
$414,014
Anchorage +
Las Vegas
$426,069
Homeownership Rate
Anchorage
63.7%
Anchorage +
Las Vegas
55.7%
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $414,014 | $426,069 | Anchorage + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.7% | 55.7% | Anchorage + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Anchorage
780
Las Vegas
460
Las Vegas +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Anchorage
1849
Anchorage +
Las Vegas
2417
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 780 | 460 | Las Vegas + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1849 | 2417 | Anchorage + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
35.2%
Las Vegas
32.4%
Las Vegas +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
9.0%
Anchorage +
Las Vegas
12.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Anchorage
16.4%
Anchorage +
Las Vegas
19.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
9.7%
Anchorage +
Las Vegas
17.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
18.0%
Las Vegas
15.4%
Las Vegas +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
14.4%
Anchorage +
Las Vegas
15.6%
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.2% | 32.4% | Las Vegas + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.0% | 12.5% | Anchorage + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.4% | 19.5% | Anchorage + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 17.0% | Anchorage + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 15.4% | Las Vegas + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 15.6% | Anchorage + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Anchorage
37.0°F
Anchorage +
Las Vegas
67.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Anchorage
16.7 in
Las Vegas
5.1 in
Las Vegas +
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.0°F | 67.4°F | Anchorage + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.7 in | 5.1 in | Las Vegas + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Anchorage
7.6 µg/m³
Las Vegas
5.2 µg/m³
Las Vegas +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Anchorage
75.0%
Las Vegas
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 5.2 µg/m³ | Las Vegas + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Anchorage
20.4 min
Anchorage +
Las Vegas
27.7 min
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.4 min | 27.7 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, Las Vegas is safer with a violent crime rate of 460 per 100,000 residents, compared to 780 in Anchorage. Anchorage has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Las Vegas has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Las Vegas scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.4%.
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