Anchorage AK vs Saint Paul 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%
Saint Paul, MN
Minnesota · Population: 307,762
- Median HH Income$73,055
- Median Home Price$297,021
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+43.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Anchorage
289,069
Saint Paul
307,762
Saint Paul +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Anchorage
N/A
Saint Paul
N/A
Median Age
Anchorage
34.9
Saint Paul
33.5
Saint Paul +
Foreign Born
Anchorage
10.9%
Saint Paul
18.7%
Saint Paul +
White
Anchorage
58.3%
Anchorage +
Saint Paul
53.2%
Black
Anchorage
5.3%
Saint Paul
16.2%
Saint Paul +
Asian
Anchorage
9.8%
Saint Paul
17.9%
Saint Paul +
Hispanic
Anchorage
9.3%
Anchorage +
Saint Paul
9.1%
Spanish at Home
Anchorage
N/A
Saint Paul
N/A
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 289,069 | 307,762 | Saint Paul + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.9 | 33.5 | Saint Paul + |
| Foreign Born | 10.9% | 18.7% | Saint Paul + |
| White | 58.3% | 53.2% | Anchorage + |
| Black | 5.3% | 16.2% | Saint Paul + |
| Asian | 9.8% | 17.9% | Saint Paul + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 9.1% | Anchorage + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Anchorage
$98,152
Anchorage +
Saint Paul
$73,055
Per Capita Income
Anchorage
$49,338
Anchorage +
Saint Paul
$41,594
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Anchorage
$69,233
Saint Paul
$69,467
Saint Paul +
Unemployment Rate
Anchorage
4.6%
Anchorage +
Saint Paul
4.9%
Poverty Rate
Anchorage
9.3%
Anchorage +
Saint Paul
15.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Anchorage
37.7%
Saint Paul
43.5%
Saint Paul +
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $98,152 | $73,055 | Anchorage + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,338 | $41,594 | Anchorage + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,233 | $69,467 | Saint Paul + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 4.9% | Anchorage + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.3% | 15.8% | Anchorage + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.7% | 43.5% | Saint Paul + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Anchorage
$414,014
Saint Paul
$297,021
Saint Paul +
Homeownership Rate
Anchorage
63.7%
Anchorage +
Saint Paul
53.2%
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $414,014 | $297,021 | Saint Paul + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.7% | 53.2% | Anchorage + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Anchorage
780
Saint Paul
284
Saint Paul +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Anchorage
1849
Anchorage +
Saint Paul
1992
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 780 | 284 | Saint Paul + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1849 | 1992 | Anchorage + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
35.2%
Saint Paul
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
9.0%
Saint Paul
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Anchorage
16.4%
Saint Paul
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
9.7%
Saint Paul
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
18.0%
Saint Paul
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
14.4%
Saint Paul
N/A
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.2% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.0% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.4% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.4% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Anchorage
37.0°F
Saint Paul
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Anchorage
16.7 in
Saint Paul
N/A
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Saint Paul, MN | 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 +
Saint Paul
8.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Anchorage
75.0%
Saint Paul
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Saint Paul, 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 +
Saint Paul
24.1 min
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.4 min | 24.1 min | Anchorage + |
Which City is Right for You?
Anchorage leads in median household income at $98,152, while saint Paul offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $297,021. On public safety, Saint Paul is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 780 in Anchorage. Anchorage has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Anchorage has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.6 µg/m³).
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