Anchorage AK vs Tempe AZ — 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%
Tempe, AZ
Arizona · Population: 186,419
- Median HH Income$77,643
- Median Home Price$468,328
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+49.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Anchorage
289,069
Anchorage +
Tempe
186,419
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Anchorage
N/A
Tempe
N/A
Median Age
Anchorage
34.9
Tempe
29.9
Tempe +
Foreign Born
Anchorage
10.9%
Tempe
13.9%
Tempe +
White
Anchorage
58.3%
Tempe
60.1%
Tempe +
Black
Anchorage
5.3%
Tempe
7.8%
Tempe +
Asian
Anchorage
9.8%
Anchorage +
Tempe
9.5%
Hispanic
Anchorage
9.3%
Tempe
23.1%
Tempe +
Spanish at Home
Anchorage
N/A
Tempe
N/A
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 289,069 | 186,419 | Anchorage + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.9 | 29.9 | Tempe + |
| Foreign Born | 10.9% | 13.9% | Tempe + |
| White | 58.3% | 60.1% | Tempe + |
| Black | 5.3% | 7.8% | Tempe + |
| Asian | 9.8% | 9.5% | Anchorage + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 23.1% | Tempe + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Anchorage
$98,152
Anchorage +
Tempe
$77,643
Per Capita Income
Anchorage
$49,338
Anchorage +
Tempe
$42,371
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Anchorage
$69,233
Anchorage +
Tempe
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Anchorage
4.6%
Anchorage +
Tempe
5.7%
Poverty Rate
Anchorage
9.3%
Anchorage +
Tempe
16.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Anchorage
37.7%
Tempe
49.5%
Tempe +
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $98,152 | $77,643 | Anchorage + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,338 | $42,371 | Anchorage + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,233 | $59,120 | Anchorage + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 5.7% | Anchorage + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.3% | 16.2% | Anchorage + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.7% | 49.5% | Tempe + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Anchorage
$414,014
Anchorage +
Tempe
$468,328
Homeownership Rate
Anchorage
63.7%
Anchorage +
Tempe
41.6%
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $414,014 | $468,328 | Anchorage + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.7% | 41.6% | Anchorage + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Anchorage
780
Tempe
450
Tempe +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Anchorage
1849
Anchorage +
Tempe
2150
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 780 | 450 | Tempe + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1849 | 2150 | Anchorage + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
35.2%
Tempe
27.2%
Tempe +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
9.0%
Tempe
7.2%
Tempe +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Anchorage
16.4%
Anchorage +
Tempe
16.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
9.7%
Anchorage +
Tempe
10.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
18.0%
Anchorage +
Tempe
18.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
14.4%
Tempe
9.1%
Tempe +
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.2% | 27.2% | Tempe + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.0% | 7.2% | Tempe + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.4% | 16.6% | Anchorage + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 10.7% | Anchorage + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 18.3% | Anchorage + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 9.1% | Tempe + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Anchorage
37.0°F
Anchorage +
Tempe
71.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Anchorage
16.7 in
Tempe
9.3 in
Tempe +
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.0°F | 71.3°F | Anchorage + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.7 in | 9.3 in | Tempe + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Anchorage
7.6 µg/m³
Tempe
7.1 µg/m³
Tempe +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Anchorage
75.0%
Tempe
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Tempe + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Anchorage
20.4 min
Anchorage +
Tempe
23.2 min
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.4 min | 23.2 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, Tempe is safer with a violent crime rate of 450 per 100,000 residents, compared to 780 in Anchorage. Anchorage has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Tempe has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tempe scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.2%.
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