Anchorage AK vs Plymouth MN — 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%
Plymouth, MN
Minnesota · Population: 79,526
- Median HH Income$133,865
- Median Home Price$514,358
- Unemployment2.0%
- Bachelor's+64.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Anchorage
289,069
Anchorage +
Plymouth
79,526
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Anchorage
N/A
Plymouth
N/A
Median Age
Anchorage
34.9
Anchorage +
Plymouth
40.7
Foreign Born
Anchorage
10.9%
Plymouth
13.6%
Plymouth +
White
Anchorage
58.3%
Plymouth
74.8%
Plymouth +
Black
Anchorage
5.3%
Anchorage +
Plymouth
5.0%
Asian
Anchorage
9.8%
Plymouth
10.1%
Plymouth +
Hispanic
Anchorage
9.3%
Anchorage +
Plymouth
4.7%
Spanish at Home
Anchorage
N/A
Plymouth
N/A
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 289,069 | 79,526 | Anchorage + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.9 | 40.7 | Anchorage + |
| Foreign Born | 10.9% | 13.6% | Plymouth + |
| White | 58.3% | 74.8% | Plymouth + |
| Black | 5.3% | 5.0% | Anchorage + |
| Asian | 9.8% | 10.1% | Plymouth + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 4.7% | Anchorage + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Anchorage
$98,152
Plymouth
$133,865
Plymouth +
Per Capita Income
Anchorage
$49,338
Plymouth
$69,839
Plymouth +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Anchorage
$69,233
Plymouth
$69,467
Plymouth +
Unemployment Rate
Anchorage
4.6%
Plymouth
2.0%
Plymouth +
Poverty Rate
Anchorage
9.3%
Plymouth
4.1%
Plymouth +
Bachelor's Degree+
Anchorage
37.7%
Plymouth
64.8%
Plymouth +
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $98,152 | $133,865 | Plymouth + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,338 | $69,839 | Plymouth + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,233 | $69,467 | Plymouth + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 2.0% | Plymouth + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.3% | 4.1% | Plymouth + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.7% | 64.8% | Plymouth + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Anchorage
$414,014
Anchorage +
Plymouth
$514,358
Homeownership Rate
Anchorage
63.7%
Plymouth
74.7%
Plymouth +
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $414,014 | $514,358 | Anchorage + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.7% | 74.7% | Plymouth + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Anchorage
780
Plymouth
284
Plymouth +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Anchorage
1849
Anchorage +
Plymouth
1992
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 780 | 284 | Plymouth + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1849 | 1992 | Anchorage + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
35.2%
Plymouth
24.1%
Plymouth +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
9.0%
Plymouth
7.0%
Plymouth +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Anchorage
16.4%
Plymouth
12.7%
Plymouth +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
9.7%
Plymouth
5.3%
Plymouth +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
18.0%
Anchorage +
Plymouth
18.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
14.4%
Plymouth
8.5%
Plymouth +
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.2% | 24.1% | Plymouth + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.0% | 7.0% | Plymouth + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.4% | 12.7% | Plymouth + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 5.3% | Plymouth + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 18.5% | Anchorage + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 8.5% | Plymouth + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Anchorage
37.0°F
Plymouth
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Anchorage
16.7 in
Plymouth
N/A
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Plymouth, MN | 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 +
Plymouth
8.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Anchorage
75.0%
Plymouth
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Anchorage + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Anchorage
20.4 min
Anchorage +
Plymouth
24.5 min
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.4 min | 24.5 min | Anchorage + |
Which City is Right for You?
Plymouth leads in median household income at $133,865, while anchorage offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $414,014. On public safety, Plymouth is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 780 in Anchorage. Plymouth has a lower unemployment rate at 2.0%, and Anchorage has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Plymouth scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.1%.
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