Anchorage AK vs Phoenix AZ — 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%
Phoenix, AZ
Arizona · Population: 1,624,832
- Median HH Income$77,041
- Median Home Price$411,323
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+32.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Anchorage
289,069
Phoenix
1,624,832
Phoenix +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Anchorage
N/A
Phoenix
N/A
Median Age
Anchorage
34.9
Phoenix
34.8
Phoenix +
Foreign Born
Anchorage
10.9%
Phoenix
19.0%
Phoenix +
White
Anchorage
58.3%
Anchorage +
Phoenix
53.7%
Black
Anchorage
5.3%
Phoenix
7.8%
Phoenix +
Asian
Anchorage
9.8%
Anchorage +
Phoenix
3.9%
Hispanic
Anchorage
9.3%
Phoenix
41.8%
Phoenix +
Spanish at Home
Anchorage
N/A
Phoenix
N/A
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 289,069 | 1,624,832 | Phoenix + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.9 | 34.8 | Phoenix + |
| Foreign Born | 10.9% | 19.0% | Phoenix + |
| White | 58.3% | 53.7% | Anchorage + |
| Black | 5.3% | 7.8% | Phoenix + |
| Asian | 9.8% | 3.9% | Anchorage + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 41.8% | Phoenix + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Anchorage
$98,152
Anchorage +
Phoenix
$77,041
Per Capita Income
Anchorage
$49,338
Anchorage +
Phoenix
$40,309
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Anchorage
$69,233
Anchorage +
Phoenix
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Anchorage
4.6%
Anchorage +
Phoenix
5.1%
Poverty Rate
Anchorage
9.3%
Anchorage +
Phoenix
14.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Anchorage
37.7%
Anchorage +
Phoenix
32.3%
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $98,152 | $77,041 | Anchorage + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,338 | $40,309 | Anchorage + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,233 | $59,120 | Anchorage + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 5.1% | Anchorage + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.3% | 14.3% | Anchorage + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.7% | 32.3% | Anchorage + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Anchorage
$414,014
Phoenix
$411,323
Phoenix +
Homeownership Rate
Anchorage
63.7%
Anchorage +
Phoenix
57.1%
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $414,014 | $411,323 | Phoenix + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.7% | 57.1% | Anchorage + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Anchorage
780
Phoenix
450
Phoenix +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Anchorage
1849
Anchorage +
Phoenix
2150
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 780 | 450 | Phoenix + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1849 | 2150 | Anchorage + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
35.2%
Phoenix
32.3%
Phoenix +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
9.0%
Anchorage +
Phoenix
10.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Anchorage
16.4%
Phoenix
16.2%
Phoenix +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
9.7%
Anchorage +
Phoenix
17.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
18.0%
Phoenix
16.3%
Phoenix +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
14.4%
Phoenix
12.2%
Phoenix +
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.2% | 32.3% | Phoenix + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.0% | 10.8% | Anchorage + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.4% | 16.2% | Phoenix + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 17.3% | Anchorage + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 16.3% | Phoenix + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 12.2% | Phoenix + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Anchorage
37.0°F
Anchorage +
Phoenix
72.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Anchorage
16.7 in
Phoenix
10.8 in
Phoenix +
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.0°F | 72.1°F | Anchorage + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.7 in | 10.8 in | Phoenix + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Anchorage
7.6 µg/m³
Phoenix
7.1 µg/m³
Phoenix +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Anchorage
75.0%
Phoenix
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Phoenix + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Anchorage
20.4 min
Anchorage +
Phoenix
27.7 min
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Phoenix, AZ | 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 phoenix offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $411,323. On public safety, Phoenix is safer with a violent crime rate of 450 per 100,000 residents, compared to 780 in Anchorage. Anchorage has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Phoenix has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Phoenix scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.3%.
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