Anchorage AK vs Roswell GA — 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%
Roswell, GA
Georgia · Population: 92,577
- Median HH Income$124,422
- Median Home Price$662,209
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+64.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Anchorage
289,069
Anchorage +
Roswell
92,577
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Anchorage
N/A
Roswell
N/A
Median Age
Anchorage
34.9
Anchorage +
Roswell
40.0
Foreign Born
Anchorage
10.9%
Roswell
18.7%
Roswell +
White
Anchorage
58.3%
Roswell
65.0%
Roswell +
Black
Anchorage
5.3%
Roswell
11.1%
Roswell +
Asian
Anchorage
9.8%
Anchorage +
Roswell
4.5%
Hispanic
Anchorage
9.3%
Roswell
16.8%
Roswell +
Spanish at Home
Anchorage
N/A
Roswell
N/A
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 289,069 | 92,577 | Anchorage + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.9 | 40.0 | Anchorage + |
| Foreign Born | 10.9% | 18.7% | Roswell + |
| White | 58.3% | 65.0% | Roswell + |
| Black | 5.3% | 11.1% | Roswell + |
| Asian | 9.8% | 4.5% | Anchorage + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 16.8% | Roswell + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Anchorage
$98,152
Roswell
$124,422
Roswell +
Per Capita Income
Anchorage
$49,338
Roswell
$65,454
Roswell +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Anchorage
$69,233
Anchorage +
Roswell
$57,405
Unemployment Rate
Anchorage
4.6%
Roswell
4.3%
Roswell +
Poverty Rate
Anchorage
9.3%
Roswell
7.4%
Roswell +
Bachelor's Degree+
Anchorage
37.7%
Roswell
64.8%
Roswell +
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $98,152 | $124,422 | Roswell + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,338 | $65,454 | Roswell + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,233 | $57,405 | Anchorage + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 4.3% | Roswell + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.3% | 7.4% | Roswell + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.7% | 64.8% | Roswell + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Anchorage
$414,014
Anchorage +
Roswell
$662,209
Homeownership Rate
Anchorage
63.7%
Roswell
71.2%
Roswell +
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $414,014 | $662,209 | Anchorage + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.7% | 71.2% | Roswell + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Anchorage
780
Roswell
392
Roswell +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Anchorage
1849
Roswell
1752
Roswell +
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 780 | 392 | Roswell + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1849 | 1752 | Roswell + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
35.2%
Roswell
24.6%
Roswell +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
9.0%
Anchorage +
Roswell
9.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Anchorage
16.4%
Roswell
13.8%
Roswell +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
9.7%
Anchorage +
Roswell
9.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
18.0%
Roswell
17.4%
Roswell +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
14.4%
Roswell
8.3%
Roswell +
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.2% | 24.6% | Roswell + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.0% | 9.1% | Anchorage + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.4% | 13.8% | Roswell + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 9.9% | Anchorage + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 17.4% | Roswell + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 8.3% | Roswell + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Anchorage
37.0°F
Roswell
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Anchorage
16.7 in
Roswell
N/A
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.0°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.7 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Anchorage
7.6 µg/m³
Anchorage +
Roswell
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Anchorage
75.0%
Anchorage +
Roswell
55.0%
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Anchorage + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Anchorage + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Anchorage
20.4 min
Anchorage +
Roswell
29.6 min
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.4 min | 29.6 min | Anchorage + |
Which City is Right for You?
Roswell leads in median household income at $124,422, while anchorage offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $414,014. On public safety, Roswell is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 780 in Anchorage. Roswell has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Anchorage has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Roswell scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.6%.
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