Anchorage AK vs Santa Rosa 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%
Santa Rosa, CA
California · Population: 129,239
- Median HH Income$173,670
- Median Home Price$720,443
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+65.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Anchorage
289,069
Anchorage +
Santa Rosa
129,239
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Anchorage
N/A
Santa Rosa
N/A
Median Age
Anchorage
34.9
Santa Rosa
34.5
Santa Rosa +
Foreign Born
Anchorage
10.9%
Santa Rosa
45.4%
Santa Rosa +
White
Anchorage
58.3%
Anchorage +
Santa Rosa
31.9%
Black
Anchorage
5.3%
Anchorage +
Santa Rosa
2.1%
Asian
Anchorage
9.8%
Santa Rosa
47.6%
Santa Rosa +
Hispanic
Anchorage
9.3%
Santa Rosa
16.1%
Santa Rosa +
Spanish at Home
Anchorage
N/A
Santa Rosa
N/A
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 289,069 | 129,239 | Anchorage + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.9 | 34.5 | Santa Rosa + |
| Foreign Born | 10.9% | 45.4% | Santa Rosa + |
| White | 58.3% | 31.9% | Anchorage + |
| Black | 5.3% | 2.1% | Anchorage + |
| Asian | 9.8% | 47.6% | Santa Rosa + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 16.1% | Santa Rosa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Anchorage
$98,152
Santa Rosa
$173,670
Santa Rosa +
Per Capita Income
Anchorage
$49,338
Santa Rosa
$84,533
Santa Rosa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Anchorage
$69,233
Santa Rosa
$77,230
Santa Rosa +
Unemployment Rate
Anchorage
4.6%
Santa Rosa
4.4%
Santa Rosa +
Poverty Rate
Anchorage
9.3%
Santa Rosa
7.8%
Santa Rosa +
Bachelor's Degree+
Anchorage
37.7%
Santa Rosa
65.3%
Santa Rosa +
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $98,152 | $173,670 | Santa Rosa + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,338 | $84,533 | Santa Rosa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,233 | $77,230 | Santa Rosa + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 4.4% | Santa Rosa + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.3% | 7.8% | Santa Rosa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.7% | 65.3% | Santa Rosa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Anchorage
$414,014
Anchorage +
Santa Rosa
$720,443
Homeownership Rate
Anchorage
63.7%
Anchorage +
Santa Rosa
41.2%
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $414,014 | $720,443 | Anchorage + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.7% | 41.2% | Anchorage + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Anchorage
780
Santa Rosa
503
Santa Rosa +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Anchorage
1849
Anchorage +
Santa Rosa
2388
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 780 | 503 | Santa Rosa + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1849 | 2388 | Anchorage + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
35.2%
Santa Rosa
26.5%
Santa Rosa +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
9.0%
Anchorage +
Santa Rosa
10.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Anchorage
16.4%
Anchorage +
Santa Rosa
16.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
9.7%
Anchorage +
Santa Rosa
10.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
18.0%
Santa Rosa
15.8%
Santa Rosa +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
14.4%
Santa Rosa
11.3%
Santa Rosa +
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.2% | 26.5% | Santa Rosa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.0% | 10.4% | Anchorage + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.4% | 16.7% | Anchorage + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 10.4% | Anchorage + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 15.8% | Santa Rosa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 11.3% | Santa Rosa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Anchorage
37.0°F
Anchorage +
Santa Rosa
59.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Anchorage
16.7 in
Anchorage +
Santa Rosa
32.2 in
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.0°F | 59.2°F | Anchorage + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.7 in | 32.2 in | Anchorage + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Anchorage
7.6 µg/m³
Anchorage +
Santa Rosa
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Anchorage
75.0%
Santa Rosa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Santa Rosa, 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 +
Santa Rosa
25.2 min
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.4 min | 25.2 min | Anchorage + |
Which City is Right for You?
Santa Rosa leads in median household income at $173,670, while anchorage offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $414,014. On public safety, Santa Rosa is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 780 in Anchorage. Santa Rosa has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Anchorage has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Santa Rosa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.5%.
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