Anchorage AK vs Tucson 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%
Tucson, AZ
Arizona · Population: 543,348
- Median HH Income$54,546
- Median Home Price$324,946
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+30.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Anchorage
289,069
Tucson
543,348
Tucson +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Anchorage
N/A
Tucson
N/A
Median Age
Anchorage
34.9
Tucson
34.6
Tucson +
Foreign Born
Anchorage
10.9%
Tucson
13.7%
Tucson +
White
Anchorage
58.3%
Anchorage +
Tucson
58.2%
Black
Anchorage
5.3%
Anchorage +
Tucson
5.0%
Asian
Anchorage
9.8%
Anchorage +
Tucson
3.1%
Hispanic
Anchorage
9.3%
Tucson
42.7%
Tucson +
Spanish at Home
Anchorage
N/A
Tucson
N/A
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 289,069 | 543,348 | Tucson + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.9 | 34.6 | Tucson + |
| Foreign Born | 10.9% | 13.7% | Tucson + |
| White | 58.3% | 58.2% | Anchorage + |
| Black | 5.3% | 5.0% | Anchorage + |
| Asian | 9.8% | 3.1% | Anchorage + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 42.7% | Tucson + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Anchorage
$98,152
Anchorage +
Tucson
$54,546
Per Capita Income
Anchorage
$49,338
Anchorage +
Tucson
$31,152
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Anchorage
$69,233
Anchorage +
Tucson
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Anchorage
4.6%
Anchorage +
Tucson
6.4%
Poverty Rate
Anchorage
9.3%
Anchorage +
Tucson
18.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Anchorage
37.7%
Anchorage +
Tucson
30.2%
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $98,152 | $54,546 | Anchorage + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,338 | $31,152 | Anchorage + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,233 | $59,120 | Anchorage + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 6.4% | Anchorage + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.3% | 18.8% | Anchorage + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.7% | 30.2% | Anchorage + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Anchorage
$414,014
Tucson
$324,946
Tucson +
Homeownership Rate
Anchorage
63.7%
Anchorage +
Tucson
51.7%
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $414,014 | $324,946 | Tucson + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.7% | 51.7% | Anchorage + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Anchorage
780
Tucson
450
Tucson +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Anchorage
1849
Anchorage +
Tucson
2150
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 780 | 450 | Tucson + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1849 | 2150 | Anchorage + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
35.2%
Tucson
33.5%
Tucson +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
9.0%
Anchorage +
Tucson
11.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Anchorage
16.4%
Anchorage +
Tucson
18.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
9.7%
Anchorage +
Tucson
15.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
18.0%
Tucson
14.6%
Tucson +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
14.4%
Tucson
12.5%
Tucson +
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.2% | 33.5% | Tucson + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.0% | 11.5% | Anchorage + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.4% | 18.3% | Anchorage + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 15.7% | Anchorage + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 14.6% | Tucson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 12.5% | Tucson + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Anchorage
37.0°F
Anchorage +
Tucson
69.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Anchorage
16.7 in
Tucson
12.2 in
Tucson +
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.0°F | 69.8°F | Anchorage + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.7 in | 12.2 in | Tucson + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Anchorage
7.6 µg/m³
Tucson
7.1 µg/m³
Tucson +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Anchorage
75.0%
Tucson
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Tucson + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Anchorage
20.4 min
Anchorage +
Tucson
23.9 min
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.4 min | 23.9 min | Anchorage + |
Which City is Right for You?
Anchorage leads in median household income at $98,152, while tucson offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $324,946. On public safety, Tucson 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 Tucson has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tucson scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.5%.
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