Anchorage AK vs Salt Lake City UT — 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%
Salt Lake City, UT
Utah · Population: 203,888
- Median HH Income$74,925
- Median Home Price$580,126
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+50.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Anchorage
289,069
Anchorage +
Salt Lake City
203,888
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Anchorage
N/A
Salt Lake City
N/A
Median Age
Anchorage
34.9
Salt Lake City
33.0
Salt Lake City +
Foreign Born
Anchorage
10.9%
Salt Lake City
15.4%
Salt Lake City +
White
Anchorage
58.3%
Salt Lake City
70.5%
Salt Lake City +
Black
Anchorage
5.3%
Anchorage +
Salt Lake City
2.7%
Asian
Anchorage
9.8%
Anchorage +
Salt Lake City
5.3%
Hispanic
Anchorage
9.3%
Salt Lake City
20.8%
Salt Lake City +
Spanish at Home
Anchorage
N/A
Salt Lake City
N/A
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 289,069 | 203,888 | Anchorage + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.9 | 33.0 | Salt Lake City + |
| Foreign Born | 10.9% | 15.4% | Salt Lake City + |
| White | 58.3% | 70.5% | Salt Lake City + |
| Black | 5.3% | 2.7% | Anchorage + |
| Asian | 9.8% | 5.3% | Anchorage + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 20.8% | Salt Lake City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Anchorage
$98,152
Anchorage +
Salt Lake City
$74,925
Per Capita Income
Anchorage
$49,338
Salt Lake City
$49,642
Salt Lake City +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Anchorage
$69,233
Anchorage +
Salt Lake City
$60,713
Unemployment Rate
Anchorage
4.6%
Salt Lake City
3.8%
Salt Lake City +
Poverty Rate
Anchorage
9.3%
Anchorage +
Salt Lake City
13.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Anchorage
37.7%
Salt Lake City
50.9%
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $98,152 | $74,925 | Anchorage + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,338 | $49,642 | Salt Lake City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,233 | $60,713 | Anchorage + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 3.8% | Salt Lake City + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.3% | 13.4% | Anchorage + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.7% | 50.9% | Salt Lake City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Anchorage
$414,014
Anchorage +
Salt Lake City
$580,126
Homeownership Rate
Anchorage
63.7%
Anchorage +
Salt Lake City
46.8%
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $414,014 | $580,126 | Anchorage + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.7% | 46.8% | Anchorage + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Anchorage
780
Salt Lake City
245
Salt Lake City +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Anchorage
1849
Anchorage +
Salt Lake City
1931
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 780 | 245 | Salt Lake City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1849 | 1931 | Anchorage + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
35.2%
Salt Lake City
29.5%
Salt Lake City +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
9.0%
Salt Lake City
7.9%
Salt Lake City +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Anchorage
16.4%
Anchorage +
Salt Lake City
18.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
9.7%
Anchorage +
Salt Lake City
12.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
18.0%
Salt Lake City
16.0%
Salt Lake City +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
14.4%
Salt Lake City
7.9%
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.2% | 29.5% | Salt Lake City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.0% | 7.9% | Salt Lake City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.4% | 18.2% | Anchorage + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 12.3% | Anchorage + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 16.0% | Salt Lake City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 7.9% | Salt Lake City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Anchorage
37.0°F
Anchorage +
Salt Lake City
52.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Anchorage
16.7 in
Salt Lake City
16.1 in
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.0°F | 52.8°F | Anchorage + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.7 in | 16.1 in | Salt Lake City + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Anchorage
7.6 µg/m³
Salt Lake City
7.0 µg/m³
Salt Lake City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Anchorage
75.0%
Salt Lake City
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | Salt Lake City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Anchorage
20.4 min
Anchorage +
Salt Lake City
21.3 min
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.4 min | 21.3 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, Salt Lake City is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 780 in Anchorage. Salt Lake City has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Salt Lake City has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Salt Lake City scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.5%.
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