Anchorage AK vs Plano TX — 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%
Plano, TX
Texas · Population: 287,339
- Median HH Income$108,649
- Median Home Price$507,575
- Unemployment4.1%
- Bachelor's+59.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Anchorage
289,069
Anchorage +
Plano
287,339
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Anchorage
N/A
Plano
N/A
Median Age
Anchorage
34.9
Anchorage +
Plano
39.3
Foreign Born
Anchorage
10.9%
Plano
28.7%
Plano +
White
Anchorage
58.3%
Anchorage +
Plano
53.2%
Black
Anchorage
5.3%
Plano
9.0%
Plano +
Asian
Anchorage
9.8%
Plano
22.6%
Plano +
Hispanic
Anchorage
9.3%
Plano
16.2%
Plano +
Spanish at Home
Anchorage
N/A
Plano
N/A
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 289,069 | 287,339 | Anchorage + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.9 | 39.3 | Anchorage + |
| Foreign Born | 10.9% | 28.7% | Plano + |
| White | 58.3% | 53.2% | Anchorage + |
| Black | 5.3% | 9.0% | Plano + |
| Asian | 9.8% | 22.6% | Plano + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 16.2% | Plano + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Anchorage
$98,152
Plano
$108,649
Plano +
Per Capita Income
Anchorage
$49,338
Plano
$57,753
Plano +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Anchorage
$69,233
Anchorage +
Plano
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Anchorage
4.6%
Plano
4.1%
Plano +
Poverty Rate
Anchorage
9.3%
Plano
7.1%
Plano +
Bachelor's Degree+
Anchorage
37.7%
Plano
59.2%
Plano +
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $98,152 | $108,649 | Plano + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,338 | $57,753 | Plano + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,233 | $63,758 | Anchorage + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 4.1% | Plano + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.3% | 7.1% | Plano + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.7% | 59.2% | Plano + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Anchorage
$414,014
Anchorage +
Plano
$507,575
Homeownership Rate
Anchorage
63.7%
Anchorage +
Plano
56.6%
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $414,014 | $507,575 | Anchorage + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.7% | 56.6% | Anchorage + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Anchorage
780
Plano
442
Plano +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Anchorage
1849
Anchorage +
Plano
2339
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 780 | 442 | Plano + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1849 | 2339 | Anchorage + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
35.2%
Plano
31.2%
Plano +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
9.0%
Anchorage +
Plano
9.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Anchorage
16.4%
Plano
14.0%
Plano +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
9.7%
Anchorage +
Plano
10.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
18.0%
Plano
16.4%
Plano +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
14.4%
Plano
8.8%
Plano +
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.2% | 31.2% | Plano + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.0% | 9.9% | Anchorage + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.4% | 14.0% | Plano + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 10.3% | Anchorage + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 16.4% | Plano + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 8.8% | Plano + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Anchorage
37.0°F
Plano
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Anchorage
16.7 in
Plano
N/A
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.0°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.7 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Anchorage
7.6 µg/m³
Anchorage +
Plano
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Anchorage
75.0%
Anchorage +
Plano
55.0%
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Anchorage + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Anchorage + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Anchorage
20.4 min
Anchorage +
Plano
27.6 min
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.4 min | 27.6 min | Anchorage + |
Which City is Right for You?
Plano leads in median household income at $108,649, while anchorage offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $414,014. On public safety, Plano is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 780 in Anchorage. Plano has a lower unemployment rate at 4.1%, and Anchorage has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Plano scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.2%.
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