Anchorage AK vs Reno NV — 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%
Reno, NV
Nevada · Population: 268,959
- Median HH Income$78,448
- Median Home Price$570,934
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+35.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Anchorage
289,069
Anchorage +
Reno
268,959
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Anchorage
N/A
Reno
N/A
Median Age
Anchorage
34.9
Anchorage +
Reno
37.3
Foreign Born
Anchorage
10.9%
Reno
16.1%
Reno +
White
Anchorage
58.3%
Reno
63.5%
Reno +
Black
Anchorage
5.3%
Anchorage +
Reno
3.2%
Asian
Anchorage
9.8%
Anchorage +
Reno
7.0%
Hispanic
Anchorage
9.3%
Reno
24.6%
Reno +
Spanish at Home
Anchorage
N/A
Reno
N/A
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 289,069 | 268,959 | Anchorage + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.9 | 37.3 | Anchorage + |
| Foreign Born | 10.9% | 16.1% | Reno + |
| White | 58.3% | 63.5% | Reno + |
| Black | 5.3% | 3.2% | Anchorage + |
| Asian | 9.8% | 7.0% | Anchorage + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 24.6% | Reno + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Anchorage
$98,152
Anchorage +
Reno
$78,448
Per Capita Income
Anchorage
$49,338
Anchorage +
Reno
$45,180
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Anchorage
$69,233
Anchorage +
Reno
$62,696
Unemployment Rate
Anchorage
4.6%
Anchorage +
Reno
5.0%
Poverty Rate
Anchorage
9.3%
Anchorage +
Reno
12.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Anchorage
37.7%
Anchorage +
Reno
35.7%
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $98,152 | $78,448 | Anchorage + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,338 | $45,180 | Anchorage + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,233 | $62,696 | Anchorage + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 5.0% | Anchorage + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.3% | 12.5% | Anchorage + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.7% | 35.7% | Anchorage + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Anchorage
$414,014
Anchorage +
Reno
$570,934
Homeownership Rate
Anchorage
63.7%
Anchorage +
Reno
49.4%
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $414,014 | $570,934 | Anchorage + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.7% | 49.4% | Anchorage + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Anchorage
780
Reno
460
Reno +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Anchorage
1849
Anchorage +
Reno
2417
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 780 | 460 | Reno + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1849 | 2417 | Anchorage + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
35.2%
Reno
28.4%
Reno +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
9.0%
Anchorage +
Reno
9.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Anchorage
16.4%
Anchorage +
Reno
18.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
9.7%
Anchorage +
Reno
13.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
18.0%
Anchorage +
Reno
18.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
14.4%
Reno
12.8%
Reno +
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.2% | 28.4% | Reno + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.0% | 9.5% | Anchorage + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.4% | 18.5% | Anchorage + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 13.0% | Anchorage + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 18.9% | Anchorage + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 12.8% | Reno + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Anchorage
37.0°F
Anchorage +
Reno
53.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Anchorage
16.7 in
Reno
8.3 in
Reno +
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.0°F | 53.0°F | Anchorage + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.7 in | 8.3 in | Reno + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Anchorage
7.6 µg/m³
Reno
5.2 µg/m³
Reno +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Anchorage
75.0%
Reno
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 5.2 µg/m³ | Reno + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Anchorage
20.4 min
Anchorage +
Reno
22.3 min
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.4 min | 22.3 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, Reno is safer with a violent crime rate of 460 per 100,000 residents, compared to 780 in Anchorage. Anchorage has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Reno has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Reno scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.4%.
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