Anchorage AK vs Portland ME — 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%
Portland, ME
Maine · Population: 68,505
- Median HH Income$76,174
- Median Home Price$561,069
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+59.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Anchorage
289,069
Anchorage +
Portland
68,505
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Anchorage
N/A
Portland
N/A
Median Age
Anchorage
34.9
Anchorage +
Portland
37.5
Foreign Born
Anchorage
10.9%
Portland
11.1%
Portland +
White
Anchorage
58.3%
Portland
80.1%
Portland +
Black
Anchorage
5.3%
Portland
9.0%
Portland +
Asian
Anchorage
9.8%
Anchorage +
Portland
3.2%
Hispanic
Anchorage
9.3%
Anchorage +
Portland
3.1%
Spanish at Home
Anchorage
N/A
Portland
N/A
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 289,069 | 68,505 | Anchorage + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.9 | 37.5 | Anchorage + |
| Foreign Born | 10.9% | 11.1% | Portland + |
| White | 58.3% | 80.1% | Portland + |
| Black | 5.3% | 9.0% | Portland + |
| Asian | 9.8% | 3.2% | Anchorage + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 3.1% | Anchorage + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Anchorage
$98,152
Anchorage +
Portland
$76,174
Per Capita Income
Anchorage
$49,338
Portland
$52,125
Portland +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Anchorage
$69,233
Anchorage +
Portland
$61,587
Unemployment Rate
Anchorage
4.6%
Portland
4.4%
Portland +
Poverty Rate
Anchorage
9.3%
Anchorage +
Portland
11.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Anchorage
37.7%
Portland
59.2%
Portland +
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $98,152 | $76,174 | Anchorage + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,338 | $52,125 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,233 | $61,587 | Anchorage + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 4.4% | Portland + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.3% | 11.3% | Anchorage + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.7% | 59.2% | Portland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Anchorage
$414,014
Anchorage +
Portland
$561,069
Homeownership Rate
Anchorage
63.7%
Anchorage +
Portland
46.7%
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $414,014 | $561,069 | Anchorage + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.7% | 46.7% | Anchorage + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Anchorage
780
Portland
106
Portland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Anchorage
1849
Portland
1234
Portland +
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 780 | 106 | Portland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1849 | 1234 | Portland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
35.2%
Portland
27.7%
Portland +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
9.0%
Portland
8.3%
Portland +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Anchorage
16.4%
Anchorage +
Portland
17.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
9.7%
Portland
7.2%
Portland +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
18.0%
Anchorage +
Portland
18.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
14.4%
Portland
11.1%
Portland +
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.2% | 27.7% | Portland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.0% | 8.3% | Portland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.4% | 17.8% | Anchorage + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 7.2% | Portland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 18.3% | Anchorage + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 11.1% | Portland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Anchorage
37.0°F
Anchorage +
Portland
46.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Anchorage
16.7 in
Anchorage +
Portland
47.3 in
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.0°F | 46.5°F | Anchorage + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.7 in | 47.3 in | Anchorage + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Anchorage
7.6 µg/m³
Portland
5.9 µg/m³
Portland +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Anchorage
75.0%
Portland
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 5.9 µg/m³ | Portland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Anchorage
20.4 min
Anchorage +
Portland
21.4 min
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.4 min | 21.4 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, Portland is safer with a violent crime rate of 106 per 100,000 residents, compared to 780 in Anchorage. Portland has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Portland has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Portland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.7%.
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