Anchorage AK vs Washington DC — 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%
Washington, DC
District of Columbia · Population: 672,079
- Median HH Income$106,287
- Median Home Price$580,173
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+63.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Anchorage
289,069
Washington
672,079
Washington +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Anchorage
N/A
Washington
N/A
Median Age
Anchorage
34.9
Washington
34.9
Tie
Foreign Born
Anchorage
10.9%
Washington
13.3%
Washington +
White
Anchorage
58.3%
Anchorage +
Washington
39.1%
Black
Anchorage
5.3%
Washington
43.3%
Washington +
Asian
Anchorage
9.8%
Anchorage +
Washington
4.1%
Hispanic
Anchorage
9.3%
Washington
11.6%
Washington +
Spanish at Home
Anchorage
N/A
Washington
N/A
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 289,069 | 672,079 | Washington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.9 | 34.9 | Tie |
| Foreign Born | 10.9% | 13.3% | Washington + |
| White | 58.3% | 39.1% | Anchorage + |
| Black | 5.3% | 43.3% | Washington + |
| Asian | 9.8% | 4.1% | Anchorage + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 11.6% | Washington + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Anchorage
$98,152
Washington
$106,287
Washington +
Per Capita Income
Anchorage
$49,338
Washington
$75,253
Washington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Anchorage
$69,233
Washington
$101,182
Washington +
Unemployment Rate
Anchorage
4.6%
Anchorage +
Washington
6.5%
Poverty Rate
Anchorage
9.3%
Anchorage +
Washington
14.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Anchorage
37.7%
Washington
63.6%
Washington +
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $98,152 | $106,287 | Washington + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,338 | $75,253 | Washington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,233 | $101,182 | Washington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 6.5% | Anchorage + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.3% | 14.5% | Anchorage + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.7% | 63.6% | Washington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Anchorage
$414,014
Anchorage +
Washington
$580,173
Homeownership Rate
Anchorage
63.7%
Anchorage +
Washington
41.1%
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $414,014 | $580,173 | Anchorage + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.7% | 41.1% | Anchorage + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Anchorage
780
Washington
398
Washington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Anchorage
1849
Anchorage +
Washington
1999
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 780 | 398 | Washington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1849 | 1999 | Anchorage + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
35.2%
Washington
24.6%
Washington +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
9.0%
Washington
7.8%
Washington +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Anchorage
16.4%
Washington
14.6%
Washington +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
9.7%
Washington
6.7%
Washington +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
18.0%
Anchorage +
Washington
24.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
14.4%
Washington
9.7%
Washington +
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.2% | 24.6% | Washington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.0% | 7.8% | Washington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.4% | 14.6% | Washington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 6.7% | Washington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 24.0% | Anchorage + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 9.7% | Washington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Anchorage
37.0°F
Washington
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Anchorage
16.7 in
Washington
N/A
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Washington, DC | 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 +
Washington
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Anchorage
75.0%
Washington
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Anchorage + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Anchorage
20.4 min
Anchorage +
Washington
32.8 min
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.4 min | 32.8 min | Anchorage + |
Which City is Right for You?
Washington leads in median household income at $106,287, while anchorage offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $414,014. On public safety, Washington is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 780 in Anchorage. Anchorage has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Anchorage has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Washington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.6%.
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