Anchorage AK vs Madison WI — 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%
Madison, WI
Wisconsin · Population: 275,568
- Median HH Income$76,983
- Median Home Price$429,253
- Unemployment2.7%
- Bachelor's+59.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Anchorage
289,069
Anchorage +
Madison
275,568
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Anchorage
N/A
Madison
N/A
Median Age
Anchorage
34.9
Madison
31.8
Madison +
Foreign Born
Anchorage
10.9%
Madison
11.6%
Madison +
White
Anchorage
58.3%
Madison
73.0%
Madison +
Black
Anchorage
5.3%
Madison
7.1%
Madison +
Asian
Anchorage
9.8%
Anchorage +
Madison
8.0%
Hispanic
Anchorage
9.3%
Madison
9.3%
Madison +
Spanish at Home
Anchorage
N/A
Madison
N/A
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 289,069 | 275,568 | Anchorage + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.9 | 31.8 | Madison + |
| Foreign Born | 10.9% | 11.6% | Madison + |
| White | 58.3% | 73.0% | Madison + |
| Black | 5.3% | 7.1% | Madison + |
| Asian | 9.8% | 8.0% | Anchorage + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 9.3% | Madison + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Anchorage
$98,152
Anchorage +
Madison
$76,983
Per Capita Income
Anchorage
$49,338
Anchorage +
Madison
$48,557
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Anchorage
$69,233
Anchorage +
Madison
$61,837
Unemployment Rate
Anchorage
4.6%
Madison
2.7%
Madison +
Poverty Rate
Anchorage
9.3%
Anchorage +
Madison
16.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Anchorage
37.7%
Madison
59.2%
Madison +
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $98,152 | $76,983 | Anchorage + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,338 | $48,557 | Anchorage + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,233 | $61,837 | Anchorage + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 2.7% | Madison + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.3% | 16.2% | Anchorage + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.7% | 59.2% | Madison + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Anchorage
$414,014
Anchorage +
Madison
$429,253
Homeownership Rate
Anchorage
63.7%
Anchorage +
Madison
46.6%
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $414,014 | $429,253 | Anchorage + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.7% | 46.6% | Anchorage + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Anchorage
780
Madison
309
Madison +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Anchorage
1849
Madison
1392
Madison +
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 780 | 309 | Madison + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1849 | 1392 | Madison + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
35.2%
Madison
32.7%
Madison +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
9.0%
Madison
7.4%
Madison +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Anchorage
16.4%
Anchorage +
Madison
16.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
9.7%
Madison
7.9%
Madison +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
18.0%
Anchorage +
Madison
20.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
14.4%
Madison
10.2%
Madison +
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.2% | 32.7% | Madison + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.0% | 7.4% | Madison + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.4% | 16.5% | Anchorage + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 7.9% | Madison + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 20.8% | Anchorage + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 10.2% | Madison + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Anchorage
37.0°F
Anchorage +
Madison
46.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Anchorage
16.7 in
Anchorage +
Madison
37.3 in
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.0°F | 46.7°F | Anchorage + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.7 in | 37.3 in | Anchorage + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Anchorage
7.6 µg/m³
Anchorage +
Madison
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Anchorage
75.0%
Anchorage +
Madison
55.0%
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Anchorage + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Anchorage + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Anchorage
20.4 min
Anchorage +
Madison
21.2 min
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.4 min | 21.2 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, Madison is safer with a violent crime rate of 309 per 100,000 residents, compared to 780 in Anchorage. Madison has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, and Anchorage has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Madison scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.7%.
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