Anchorage AK vs St. Petersburg FL — 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%
St. Petersburg, FL
Florida · Population: 260,646
- Median HH Income$73,118
- Median Home Price$331,500
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+41.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Anchorage
289,069
Anchorage +
St. Petersburg
260,646
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Anchorage
N/A
St. Petersburg
N/A
Median Age
Anchorage
34.9
Anchorage +
St. Petersburg
43.1
Foreign Born
Anchorage
10.9%
Anchorage +
St. Petersburg
10.1%
White
Anchorage
58.3%
St. Petersburg
66.2%
St. Petersburg +
Black
Anchorage
5.3%
St. Petersburg
19.4%
St. Petersburg +
Asian
Anchorage
9.8%
Anchorage +
St. Petersburg
3.1%
Hispanic
Anchorage
9.3%
St. Petersburg
9.3%
St. Petersburg +
Spanish at Home
Anchorage
N/A
St. Petersburg
N/A
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 289,069 | 260,646 | Anchorage + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.9 | 43.1 | Anchorage + |
| Foreign Born | 10.9% | 10.1% | Anchorage + |
| White | 58.3% | 66.2% | St. Petersburg + |
| Black | 5.3% | 19.4% | St. Petersburg + |
| Asian | 9.8% | 3.1% | Anchorage + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 9.3% | St. Petersburg + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Anchorage
$98,152
Anchorage +
St. Petersburg
$73,118
Per Capita Income
Anchorage
$49,338
St. Petersburg
$49,823
St. Petersburg +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Anchorage
$69,233
Anchorage +
St. Petersburg
$65,328
Unemployment Rate
Anchorage
4.6%
Anchorage +
St. Petersburg
4.9%
Poverty Rate
Anchorage
9.3%
Anchorage +
St. Petersburg
11.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Anchorage
37.7%
St. Petersburg
41.3%
St. Petersburg +
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $98,152 | $73,118 | Anchorage + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,338 | $49,823 | St. Petersburg + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,233 | $65,328 | Anchorage + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 4.9% | Anchorage + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.3% | 11.7% | Anchorage + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.7% | 41.3% | St. Petersburg + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Anchorage
$414,014
St. Petersburg
$331,500
St. Petersburg +
Homeownership Rate
Anchorage
63.7%
Anchorage +
St. Petersburg
63.0%
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $414,014 | $331,500 | St. Petersburg + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.7% | 63.0% | Anchorage + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Anchorage
780
St. Petersburg
324
St. Petersburg +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Anchorage
1849
St. Petersburg
1453
St. Petersburg +
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 780 | 324 | St. Petersburg + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1849 | 1453 | St. Petersburg + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
35.2%
St. Petersburg
32.7%
St. Petersburg +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
9.0%
Anchorage +
St. Petersburg
12.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Anchorage
16.4%
Anchorage +
St. Petersburg
16.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
9.7%
Anchorage +
St. Petersburg
11.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
18.0%
St. Petersburg
16.6%
St. Petersburg +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
14.4%
St. Petersburg
12.4%
St. Petersburg +
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.2% | 32.7% | St. Petersburg + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.0% | 12.2% | Anchorage + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.4% | 16.6% | Anchorage + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 11.1% | Anchorage + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 16.6% | St. Petersburg + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 12.4% | St. Petersburg + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Anchorage
37.0°F
St. Petersburg
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Anchorage
16.7 in
St. Petersburg
N/A
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | St. Petersburg, FL | 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
St. Petersburg
7.2 µg/m³
St. Petersburg +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Anchorage
75.0%
St. Petersburg
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | St. Petersburg + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Anchorage
20.4 min
Anchorage +
St. Petersburg
26.8 min
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.4 min | 26.8 min | Anchorage + |
Which City is Right for You?
Anchorage leads in median household income at $98,152, while st. Petersburg offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $331,500. On public safety, St. Petersburg is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 780 in Anchorage. Anchorage has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and St. Petersburg has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, St. Petersburg scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.7%.
Compare More Cities
Anchorage, AK vs New York, NYAnchorage, AK vs Los Angeles, CAAnchorage, AK vs Chicago, ILAnchorage, AK vs Houston, TXAnchorage, AK vs Phoenix, AZAnchorage, AK vs Philadelphia, PA