Anchorage AK vs Rochester 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%
Rochester, MN
Minnesota · Population: 26,509
- Median HH Income$127,247
- Median Home Price$344,633
- Unemployment3.2%
- Bachelor's+50.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Anchorage
289,069
Anchorage +
Rochester
26,509
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Anchorage
N/A
Rochester
N/A
Median Age
Anchorage
34.9
Anchorage +
Rochester
38.7
Foreign Born
Anchorage
10.9%
Anchorage +
Rochester
7.1%
White
Anchorage
58.3%
Rochester
82.9%
Rochester +
Black
Anchorage
5.3%
Anchorage +
Rochester
3.6%
Asian
Anchorage
9.8%
Anchorage +
Rochester
5.2%
Hispanic
Anchorage
9.3%
Anchorage +
Rochester
3.9%
Spanish at Home
Anchorage
N/A
Rochester
N/A
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 289,069 | 26,509 | Anchorage + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.9 | 38.7 | Anchorage + |
| Foreign Born | 10.9% | 7.1% | Anchorage + |
| White | 58.3% | 82.9% | Rochester + |
| Black | 5.3% | 3.6% | Anchorage + |
| Asian | 9.8% | 5.2% | Anchorage + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 3.9% | Anchorage + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Anchorage
$98,152
Rochester
$127,247
Rochester +
Per Capita Income
Anchorage
$49,338
Rochester
$57,602
Rochester +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Anchorage
$69,233
Rochester
$69,467
Rochester +
Unemployment Rate
Anchorage
4.6%
Rochester
3.2%
Rochester +
Poverty Rate
Anchorage
9.3%
Rochester
2.9%
Rochester +
Bachelor's Degree+
Anchorage
37.7%
Rochester
50.3%
Rochester +
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $98,152 | $127,247 | Rochester + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,338 | $57,602 | Rochester + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,233 | $69,467 | Rochester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 3.2% | Rochester + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.3% | 2.9% | Rochester + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.7% | 50.3% | Rochester + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Anchorage
$414,014
Rochester
$344,633
Rochester +
Homeownership Rate
Anchorage
63.7%
Rochester
86.6%
Rochester +
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $414,014 | $344,633 | Rochester + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.7% | 86.6% | Rochester + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Anchorage
780
Rochester
284
Rochester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Anchorage
1849
Anchorage +
Rochester
1992
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 780 | 284 | Rochester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1849 | 1992 | Anchorage + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
35.2%
Anchorage +
Rochester
36.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
9.0%
Anchorage +
Rochester
9.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Anchorage
16.4%
Rochester
14.3%
Rochester +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
9.7%
Rochester
7.1%
Rochester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
18.0%
Rochester
16.0%
Rochester +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
14.4%
Rochester
11.4%
Rochester +
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.2% | 36.4% | Anchorage + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.0% | 9.2% | Anchorage + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.4% | 14.3% | Rochester + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 7.1% | Rochester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 16.0% | Rochester + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 11.4% | Rochester + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Anchorage
37.0°F
Rochester
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Anchorage
16.7 in
Anchorage +
Rochester
34.0 in
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.0°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.7 in | 34.0 in | Anchorage + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Anchorage
7.6 µg/m³
Anchorage +
Rochester
8.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Anchorage
75.0%
Rochester
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Rochester, 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 +
Rochester
28.3 min
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.4 min | 28.3 min | Anchorage + |
Which City is Right for You?
Rochester leads in median household income at $127,247, while rochester offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $344,633. On public safety, Rochester is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 780 in Anchorage. Rochester has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, and Anchorage has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Anchorage scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.2%.
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