Anchorage AK vs Provo 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%
Provo, UT
Utah · Population: 114,303
- Median HH Income$62,800
- Median Home Price$486,127
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+45.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Anchorage
289,069
Anchorage +
Provo
114,303
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Anchorage
N/A
Provo
N/A
Median Age
Anchorage
34.9
Provo
23.7
Provo +
Foreign Born
Anchorage
10.9%
Provo
12.2%
Provo +
White
Anchorage
58.3%
Provo
78.6%
Provo +
Black
Anchorage
5.3%
Anchorage +
Provo
1.1%
Asian
Anchorage
9.8%
Anchorage +
Provo
2.2%
Hispanic
Anchorage
9.3%
Provo
18.9%
Provo +
Spanish at Home
Anchorage
N/A
Provo
N/A
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 289,069 | 114,303 | Anchorage + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.9 | 23.7 | Provo + |
| Foreign Born | 10.9% | 12.2% | Provo + |
| White | 58.3% | 78.6% | Provo + |
| Black | 5.3% | 1.1% | Anchorage + |
| Asian | 9.8% | 2.2% | Anchorage + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 18.9% | Provo + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Anchorage
$98,152
Anchorage +
Provo
$62,800
Per Capita Income
Anchorage
$49,338
Anchorage +
Provo
$26,755
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Anchorage
$69,233
Anchorage +
Provo
$60,713
Unemployment Rate
Anchorage
4.6%
Anchorage +
Provo
4.7%
Poverty Rate
Anchorage
9.3%
Anchorage +
Provo
22.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Anchorage
37.7%
Provo
45.0%
Provo +
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $98,152 | $62,800 | Anchorage + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,338 | $26,755 | Anchorage + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,233 | $60,713 | Anchorage + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 4.7% | Anchorage + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.3% | 22.3% | Anchorage + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.7% | 45.0% | Provo + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Anchorage
$414,014
Anchorage +
Provo
$486,127
Homeownership Rate
Anchorage
63.7%
Anchorage +
Provo
39.9%
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $414,014 | $486,127 | Anchorage + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.7% | 39.9% | Anchorage + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Anchorage
780
Provo
245
Provo +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Anchorage
1849
Anchorage +
Provo
1931
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 780 | 245 | Provo + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1849 | 1931 | Anchorage + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
35.2%
Provo
30.7%
Provo +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
9.0%
Provo
6.1%
Provo +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Anchorage
16.4%
Anchorage +
Provo
21.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
9.7%
Anchorage +
Provo
12.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
18.0%
Provo
8.7%
Provo +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
14.4%
Provo
7.0%
Provo +
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.2% | 30.7% | Provo + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.0% | 6.1% | Provo + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.4% | 21.5% | Anchorage + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 12.6% | Anchorage + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 8.7% | Provo + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 7.0% | Provo + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Anchorage
37.0°F
Anchorage +
Provo
53.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Anchorage
16.7 in
Anchorage +
Provo
19.8 in
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.0°F | 53.4°F | Anchorage + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.7 in | 19.8 in | Anchorage + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Anchorage
7.6 µg/m³
Provo
7.0 µg/m³
Provo +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Anchorage
75.0%
Provo
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | Provo + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Anchorage
20.4 min
Provo
20.1 min
Provo +
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.4 min | 20.1 min | Provo + |
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, Provo is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 780 in Anchorage. Anchorage has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Provo has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Provo scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.7%.
Compare More Cities
Anchorage, AK vs New York, NYAnchorage, AK vs Los Angeles, CAAnchorage, AK vs Chicago, ILAnchorage, AK vs Houston, TXAnchorage, AK vs Phoenix, AZAnchorage, AK vs Philadelphia, PA