Anchorage AK vs Orem UT — 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%
Orem, UT
Utah · Population: 86,973
- Median HH Income$70,053
- Median Home Price$509,396
- Unemployment4.0%
- Bachelor's+25.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Anchorage
289,069
Anchorage +
Orem
86,973
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Anchorage
N/A
Orem
N/A
Median Age
Anchorage
34.9
Orem
33.3
Orem +
Foreign Born
Anchorage
10.9%
Anchorage +
Orem
10.5%
White
Anchorage
58.3%
Orem
77.1%
Orem +
Black
Anchorage
5.3%
Anchorage +
Orem
1.9%
Asian
Anchorage
9.8%
Anchorage +
Orem
1.6%
Hispanic
Anchorage
9.3%
Orem
30.6%
Orem +
Spanish at Home
Anchorage
N/A
Orem
N/A
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 289,069 | 86,973 | Anchorage + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.9 | 33.3 | Orem + |
| Foreign Born | 10.9% | 10.5% | Anchorage + |
| White | 58.3% | 77.1% | Orem + |
| Black | 5.3% | 1.9% | Anchorage + |
| Asian | 9.8% | 1.6% | Anchorage + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 30.6% | Orem + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Anchorage
$98,152
Anchorage +
Orem
$70,053
Per Capita Income
Anchorage
$49,338
Anchorage +
Orem
$33,579
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Anchorage
$69,233
Anchorage +
Orem
$60,713
Unemployment Rate
Anchorage
4.6%
Orem
4.0%
Orem +
Poverty Rate
Anchorage
9.3%
Anchorage +
Orem
12.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Anchorage
37.7%
Anchorage +
Orem
25.6%
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $98,152 | $70,053 | Anchorage + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,338 | $33,579 | Anchorage + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,233 | $60,713 | Anchorage + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 4.0% | Orem + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.3% | 12.7% | Anchorage + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.7% | 25.6% | Anchorage + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Anchorage
$414,014
Anchorage +
Orem
$509,396
Homeownership Rate
Anchorage
63.7%
Anchorage +
Orem
60.9%
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $414,014 | $509,396 | Anchorage + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.7% | 60.9% | Anchorage + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Anchorage
780
Orem
245
Orem +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Anchorage
1849
Anchorage +
Orem
1931
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 780 | 245 | Orem + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1849 | 1931 | Anchorage + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
35.2%
Orem
30.3%
Orem +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
9.0%
Orem
7.7%
Orem +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Anchorage
16.4%
Anchorage +
Orem
17.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
9.7%
Anchorage +
Orem
11.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
18.0%
Orem
8.6%
Orem +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
14.4%
Orem
6.5%
Orem +
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.2% | 30.3% | Orem + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.0% | 7.7% | Orem + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.4% | 17.1% | Anchorage + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 11.5% | Anchorage + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 8.6% | Orem + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 6.5% | Orem + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Anchorage
37.0°F
Anchorage +
Orem
52.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Anchorage
16.7 in
Orem
13.3 in
Orem +
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.0°F | 52.5°F | Anchorage + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.7 in | 13.3 in | Orem + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Anchorage
7.6 µg/m³
Orem
7.0 µg/m³
Orem +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Anchorage
75.0%
Orem
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | Orem + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Anchorage
20.4 min
Anchorage +
Orem
24.5 min
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.4 min | 24.5 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, Orem is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 780 in Anchorage. Orem has a lower unemployment rate at 4.0%, and Orem has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Orem scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.3%.
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