Anchorage AK vs San Francisco CA — 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%
San Francisco, CA
California · Population: 836,321
- Median HH Income$141,446
- Median Home Price$1,369,171
- Unemployment5.6%
- Bachelor's+60.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Anchorage
289,069
San Francisco
836,321
San Francisco +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Anchorage
N/A
San Francisco
N/A
Median Age
Anchorage
34.9
Anchorage +
San Francisco
39.7
Foreign Born
Anchorage
10.9%
San Francisco
34.2%
San Francisco +
White
Anchorage
58.3%
Anchorage +
San Francisco
40.5%
Black
Anchorage
5.3%
Anchorage +
San Francisco
5.1%
Asian
Anchorage
9.8%
San Francisco
35.0%
San Francisco +
Hispanic
Anchorage
9.3%
San Francisco
15.9%
San Francisco +
Spanish at Home
Anchorage
N/A
San Francisco
N/A
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 289,069 | 836,321 | San Francisco + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.9 | 39.7 | Anchorage + |
| Foreign Born | 10.9% | 34.2% | San Francisco + |
| White | 58.3% | 40.5% | Anchorage + |
| Black | 5.3% | 5.1% | Anchorage + |
| Asian | 9.8% | 35.0% | San Francisco + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 15.9% | San Francisco + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Anchorage
$98,152
San Francisco
$141,446
San Francisco +
Per Capita Income
Anchorage
$49,338
San Francisco
$90,285
San Francisco +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Anchorage
$69,233
San Francisco
$77,230
San Francisco +
Unemployment Rate
Anchorage
4.6%
Anchorage +
San Francisco
5.6%
Poverty Rate
Anchorage
9.3%
Anchorage +
San Francisco
10.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Anchorage
37.7%
San Francisco
60.1%
San Francisco +
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $98,152 | $141,446 | San Francisco + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,338 | $90,285 | San Francisco + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,233 | $77,230 | San Francisco + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 5.6% | Anchorage + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.3% | 10.6% | Anchorage + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.7% | 60.1% | San Francisco + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Anchorage
$414,014
Anchorage +
San Francisco
$1,369,171
Homeownership Rate
Anchorage
63.7%
Anchorage +
San Francisco
38.5%
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $414,014 | $1,369,171 | Anchorage + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.7% | 38.5% | Anchorage + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Anchorage
780
San Francisco
503
San Francisco +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Anchorage
1849
Anchorage +
San Francisco
2388
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 780 | 503 | San Francisco + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1849 | 2388 | Anchorage + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
35.2%
San Francisco
17.5%
San Francisco +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
9.0%
Anchorage +
San Francisco
9.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Anchorage
16.4%
San Francisco
14.5%
San Francisco +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
9.7%
San Francisco
6.6%
San Francisco +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
18.0%
Anchorage +
San Francisco
19.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
14.4%
San Francisco
9.1%
San Francisco +
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.2% | 17.5% | San Francisco + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.0% | 9.7% | Anchorage + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.4% | 14.5% | San Francisco + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 6.6% | San Francisco + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 19.6% | Anchorage + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 9.1% | San Francisco + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Anchorage
37.0°F
Anchorage +
San Francisco
55.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Anchorage
16.7 in
Anchorage +
San Francisco
20.7 in
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.0°F | 55.3°F | Anchorage + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.7 in | 20.7 in | Anchorage + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Anchorage
7.6 µg/m³
Anchorage +
San Francisco
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Anchorage
75.0%
San Francisco
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Anchorage + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Anchorage
20.4 min
Anchorage +
San Francisco
33.9 min
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.4 min | 33.9 min | Anchorage + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Francisco leads in median household income at $141,446, while anchorage offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $414,014. On public safety, San Francisco is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 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). For overall health outcomes, San Francisco scores better with a lower obesity rate of 17.5%.
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