Anchorage AK vs New Orleans LA — 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%
New Orleans, LA
Louisiana · Population: 376,035
- Median HH Income$55,339
- Median Home Price$245,988
- Unemployment7.8%
- Bachelor's+41.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Anchorage
289,069
New Orleans
376,035
New Orleans +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Anchorage
N/A
New Orleans
N/A
Median Age
Anchorage
34.9
Anchorage +
New Orleans
38.4
Foreign Born
Anchorage
10.9%
Anchorage +
New Orleans
6.6%
White
Anchorage
58.3%
Anchorage +
New Orleans
31.6%
Black
Anchorage
5.3%
New Orleans
55.2%
New Orleans +
Asian
Anchorage
9.8%
Anchorage +
New Orleans
2.8%
Hispanic
Anchorage
9.3%
Anchorage +
New Orleans
7.9%
Spanish at Home
Anchorage
N/A
New Orleans
N/A
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 289,069 | 376,035 | New Orleans + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.9 | 38.4 | Anchorage + |
| Foreign Born | 10.9% | 6.6% | Anchorage + |
| White | 58.3% | 31.6% | Anchorage + |
| Black | 5.3% | 55.2% | New Orleans + |
| Asian | 9.8% | 2.8% | Anchorage + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 7.9% | Anchorage + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Anchorage
$98,152
Anchorage +
New Orleans
$55,339
Per Capita Income
Anchorage
$49,338
Anchorage +
New Orleans
$39,698
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Anchorage
$69,233
Anchorage +
New Orleans
$55,297
Unemployment Rate
Anchorage
4.6%
Anchorage +
New Orleans
7.8%
Poverty Rate
Anchorage
9.3%
Anchorage +
New Orleans
22.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Anchorage
37.7%
New Orleans
41.9%
New Orleans +
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $98,152 | $55,339 | Anchorage + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,338 | $39,698 | Anchorage + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,233 | $55,297 | Anchorage + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 7.8% | Anchorage + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.3% | 22.6% | Anchorage + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.7% | 41.9% | New Orleans + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Anchorage
$414,014
New Orleans
$245,988
New Orleans +
Homeownership Rate
Anchorage
63.7%
Anchorage +
New Orleans
50.5%
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $414,014 | $245,988 | New Orleans + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.7% | 50.5% | Anchorage + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Anchorage
780
New Orleans
643
New Orleans +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Anchorage
1849
Anchorage +
New Orleans
2824
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 780 | 643 | New Orleans + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1849 | 2824 | Anchorage + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
35.2%
New Orleans
34.0%
New Orleans +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
9.0%
Anchorage +
New Orleans
15.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Anchorage
16.4%
Anchorage +
New Orleans
19.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
9.7%
New Orleans
8.7%
New Orleans +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
18.0%
Anchorage +
New Orleans
19.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
14.4%
Anchorage +
New Orleans
15.5%
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.2% | 34.0% | New Orleans + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.0% | 15.1% | Anchorage + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.4% | 19.4% | Anchorage + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 8.7% | New Orleans + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 19.7% | Anchorage + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 15.5% | Anchorage + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Anchorage
37.0°F
New Orleans
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Anchorage
16.7 in
Anchorage +
New Orleans
66.6 in
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.0°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.7 in | 66.6 in | Anchorage + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Anchorage
7.6 µg/m³
Anchorage +
New Orleans
8.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Anchorage
75.0%
New Orleans
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Anchorage + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Anchorage
20.4 min
Anchorage +
New Orleans
24.6 min
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.4 min | 24.6 min | Anchorage + |
Which City is Right for You?
Anchorage leads in median household income at $98,152, while new Orleans offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $245,988. On public safety, New Orleans is safer with a violent crime rate of 643 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, New Orleans scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.0%.
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