Anchorage AK vs Raleigh NC — 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%
Raleigh, NC
North Carolina · Population: 470,763
- Median HH Income$82,424
- Median Home Price$435,807
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+52.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Anchorage
289,069
Raleigh
470,763
Raleigh +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Anchorage
N/A
Raleigh
N/A
Median Age
Anchorage
34.9
Raleigh
34.7
Raleigh +
Foreign Born
Anchorage
10.9%
Raleigh
13.6%
Raleigh +
White
Anchorage
58.3%
Anchorage +
Raleigh
53.8%
Black
Anchorage
5.3%
Raleigh
27.5%
Raleigh +
Asian
Anchorage
9.8%
Anchorage +
Raleigh
4.7%
Hispanic
Anchorage
9.3%
Raleigh
12.7%
Raleigh +
Spanish at Home
Anchorage
N/A
Raleigh
N/A
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 289,069 | 470,763 | Raleigh + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.9 | 34.7 | Raleigh + |
| Foreign Born | 10.9% | 13.6% | Raleigh + |
| White | 58.3% | 53.8% | Anchorage + |
| Black | 5.3% | 27.5% | Raleigh + |
| Asian | 9.8% | 4.7% | Anchorage + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 12.7% | Raleigh + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Anchorage
$98,152
Anchorage +
Raleigh
$82,424
Per Capita Income
Anchorage
$49,338
Raleigh
$49,948
Raleigh +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Anchorage
$69,233
Anchorage +
Raleigh
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Anchorage
4.6%
Raleigh
4.5%
Raleigh +
Poverty Rate
Anchorage
9.3%
Anchorage +
Raleigh
11.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Anchorage
37.7%
Raleigh
52.9%
Raleigh +
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $98,152 | $82,424 | Anchorage + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,338 | $49,948 | Raleigh + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,233 | $59,120 | Anchorage + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 4.5% | Raleigh + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.3% | 11.4% | Anchorage + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.7% | 52.9% | Raleigh + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Anchorage
$414,014
Anchorage +
Raleigh
$435,807
Homeownership Rate
Anchorage
63.7%
Anchorage +
Raleigh
51.2%
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $414,014 | $435,807 | Anchorage + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.7% | 51.2% | Anchorage + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Anchorage
780
Raleigh
398
Raleigh +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Anchorage
1849
Anchorage +
Raleigh
1999
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 780 | 398 | Raleigh + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1849 | 1999 | Anchorage + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
35.2%
Raleigh
30.9%
Raleigh +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
9.0%
Anchorage +
Raleigh
9.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Anchorage
16.4%
Anchorage +
Raleigh
16.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
9.7%
Raleigh
9.7%
Tie
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
18.0%
Raleigh
15.3%
Raleigh +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
14.4%
Raleigh
10.5%
Raleigh +
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.2% | 30.9% | Raleigh + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.0% | 9.1% | Anchorage + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.4% | 16.6% | Anchorage + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 9.7% | Tie |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 15.3% | Raleigh + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 10.5% | Raleigh + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Anchorage
37.0°F
Anchorage +
Raleigh
61.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Anchorage
16.7 in
Anchorage +
Raleigh
46.2 in
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.0°F | 61.1°F | Anchorage + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.7 in | 46.2 in | Anchorage + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Anchorage
7.6 µg/m³
Anchorage +
Raleigh
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Anchorage
75.0%
Raleigh
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Anchorage + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Anchorage
20.4 min
Anchorage +
Raleigh
25.1 min
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.4 min | 25.1 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, Raleigh is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 780 in Anchorage. Raleigh has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Anchorage has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Raleigh scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.9%.
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