Anchorage AK vs Tacoma WA — 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%
Tacoma, WA
Washington · Population: 220,482
- Median HH Income$83,857
- Median Home Price$496,966
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+33.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Anchorage
289,069
Anchorage +
Tacoma
220,482
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Anchorage
N/A
Tacoma
N/A
Median Age
Anchorage
34.9
Anchorage +
Tacoma
37.3
Foreign Born
Anchorage
10.9%
Tacoma
12.2%
Tacoma +
White
Anchorage
58.3%
Tacoma
59.4%
Tacoma +
Black
Anchorage
5.3%
Tacoma
10.5%
Tacoma +
Asian
Anchorage
9.8%
Anchorage +
Tacoma
8.8%
Hispanic
Anchorage
9.3%
Tacoma
13.1%
Tacoma +
Spanish at Home
Anchorage
N/A
Tacoma
N/A
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 289,069 | 220,482 | Anchorage + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.9 | 37.3 | Anchorage + |
| Foreign Born | 10.9% | 12.2% | Tacoma + |
| White | 58.3% | 59.4% | Tacoma + |
| Black | 5.3% | 10.5% | Tacoma + |
| Asian | 9.8% | 8.8% | Anchorage + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 13.1% | Tacoma + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Anchorage
$98,152
Anchorage +
Tacoma
$83,857
Per Capita Income
Anchorage
$49,338
Anchorage +
Tacoma
$44,756
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Anchorage
$69,233
Tacoma
$76,120
Tacoma +
Unemployment Rate
Anchorage
4.6%
Anchorage +
Tacoma
5.3%
Poverty Rate
Anchorage
9.3%
Anchorage +
Tacoma
12.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Anchorage
37.7%
Anchorage +
Tacoma
33.5%
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $98,152 | $83,857 | Anchorage + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,338 | $44,756 | Anchorage + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,233 | $76,120 | Tacoma + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 5.3% | Anchorage + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.3% | 12.0% | Anchorage + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.7% | 33.5% | Anchorage + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Anchorage
$414,014
Anchorage +
Tacoma
$496,966
Homeownership Rate
Anchorage
63.7%
Anchorage +
Tacoma
56.5%
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $414,014 | $496,966 | Anchorage + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.7% | 56.5% | Anchorage + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Anchorage
780
Tacoma
383
Tacoma +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Anchorage
1849
Anchorage +
Tacoma
3409
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 780 | 383 | Tacoma + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1849 | 3409 | Anchorage + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
35.2%
Anchorage +
Tacoma
37.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
9.0%
Anchorage +
Tacoma
10.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Anchorage
16.4%
Anchorage +
Tacoma
18.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
9.7%
Tacoma
9.3%
Tacoma +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
18.0%
Tacoma
16.8%
Tacoma +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
14.4%
Tacoma
11.9%
Tacoma +
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.2% | 37.3% | Anchorage + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.0% | 10.9% | Anchorage + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.4% | 18.7% | Anchorage + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 9.3% | Tacoma + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 16.8% | Tacoma + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 11.9% | Tacoma + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Anchorage
37.0°F
Anchorage +
Tacoma
53.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Anchorage
16.7 in
Anchorage +
Tacoma
39.2 in
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.0°F | 53.5°F | Anchorage + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.7 in | 39.2 in | Anchorage + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Anchorage
7.6 µg/m³
Tacoma
7.5 µg/m³
Tacoma +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Anchorage
75.0%
Tacoma
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Tacoma + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Anchorage
20.4 min
Anchorage +
Tacoma
31.1 min
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.4 min | 31.1 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, Tacoma is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 780 in Anchorage. Anchorage has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Tacoma has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Anchorage scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.2%.
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