Anchorage AK vs Virginia Beach VA — 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%
Virginia Beach, VA
Virginia · Population: 457,066
- Median HH Income$90,685
- Median Home Price$427,121
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+40.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Anchorage
289,069
Virginia Beach
457,066
Virginia Beach +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Anchorage
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
Median Age
Anchorage
34.9
Anchorage +
Virginia Beach
37.4
Foreign Born
Anchorage
10.9%
Anchorage +
Virginia Beach
9.1%
White
Anchorage
58.3%
Virginia Beach
61.6%
Virginia Beach +
Black
Anchorage
5.3%
Virginia Beach
18.9%
Virginia Beach +
Asian
Anchorage
9.8%
Anchorage +
Virginia Beach
7.2%
Hispanic
Anchorage
9.3%
Anchorage +
Virginia Beach
8.9%
Spanish at Home
Anchorage
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 289,069 | 457,066 | Virginia Beach + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.9 | 37.4 | Anchorage + |
| Foreign Born | 10.9% | 9.1% | Anchorage + |
| White | 58.3% | 61.6% | Virginia Beach + |
| Black | 5.3% | 18.9% | Virginia Beach + |
| Asian | 9.8% | 7.2% | Anchorage + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 8.9% | Anchorage + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Anchorage
$98,152
Anchorage +
Virginia Beach
$90,685
Per Capita Income
Anchorage
$49,338
Anchorage +
Virginia Beach
$47,372
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Anchorage
$69,233
Virginia Beach
$69,581
Virginia Beach +
Unemployment Rate
Anchorage
4.6%
Virginia Beach
4.3%
Virginia Beach +
Poverty Rate
Anchorage
9.3%
Virginia Beach
8.4%
Virginia Beach +
Bachelor's Degree+
Anchorage
37.7%
Virginia Beach
40.4%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $98,152 | $90,685 | Anchorage + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,338 | $47,372 | Anchorage + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,233 | $69,581 | Virginia Beach + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 4.3% | Virginia Beach + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.3% | 8.4% | Virginia Beach + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.7% | 40.4% | Virginia Beach + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Anchorage
$414,014
Anchorage +
Virginia Beach
$427,121
Homeownership Rate
Anchorage
63.7%
Virginia Beach
64.9%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $414,014 | $427,121 | Anchorage + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.7% | 64.9% | Virginia Beach + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Anchorage
780
Virginia Beach
240
Virginia Beach +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Anchorage
1849
Virginia Beach
1726
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 780 | 240 | Virginia Beach + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1849 | 1726 | Virginia Beach + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
35.2%
Anchorage +
Virginia Beach
36.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
9.0%
Anchorage +
Virginia Beach
11.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Anchorage
16.4%
Anchorage +
Virginia Beach
16.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
9.7%
Virginia Beach
8.3%
Virginia Beach +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
18.0%
Virginia Beach
15.6%
Virginia Beach +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
14.4%
Virginia Beach
12.1%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.2% | 36.5% | Anchorage + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.0% | 11.8% | Anchorage + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.4% | 16.7% | Anchorage + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 8.3% | Virginia Beach + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 15.6% | Virginia Beach + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 12.1% | Virginia Beach + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Anchorage
37.0°F
Virginia Beach
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Anchorage
16.7 in
Virginia Beach
N/A
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Virginia Beach, VA | 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
Anchorage +
Virginia Beach
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Anchorage
75.0%
Virginia Beach
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Anchorage + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Anchorage
20.4 min
Anchorage +
Virginia Beach
25.0 min
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.4 min | 25.0 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, Virginia Beach is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 780 in Anchorage. Virginia Beach has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Anchorage has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Anchorage scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.2%.
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