City profile · Alaska · Census ACS 2023

Anchorage, AK

Population, income, housing, safety, climate and schools for Anchorage - drawn straight from Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA, NCES, HUD and FEMA, refreshed on the 2024–2025 release cycle.

289,069
Residents
$98,152
Median income
$375,900
Median home
$1,631
Median rent (state)

Anchorage - the verdict

Out of every US city with 1,000+ residents, Anchorage places in the 77th percentile for household income and the 9th percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

77th
percentile, household income
75th
percentile, home value
64th
percentile, median rent
9th
percentile, safety
📝 How we sourced this

Population, income, and housing-cost figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates (B-series tables). Crime data uses FBI UCR; climate uses NOAA Climate Normals; school counts come from NCES Common Core of Data; permits use the Census Building Permits Survey (BPS). See our methodology page for the full ETL pipeline and OMB / FIPS join keys.

Data Snapshot: Anchorage, AK

Census ACS 2023 estimates count 289,069 residents in Anchorage, a mid-sized U.S. city within Alaska. The typical household in Anchorage brings in $98,152 a year, placing it in the top quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 5.8%. Home values in Anchorage run a median of $375,900, and the median resident age is 34.9 years. About 37.7% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, while 62.5% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

The Census Building Permit Survey recorded 341 residential units authorized here in 2024 (Construction Slowdown), down 68% from five years earlier. Anchorage's reported crime rate runs above the national norm: FBI UCR reporting places total crime at 3780.7 incidents per 100,000 residents, above the national average (voluntary agency reporting, reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score). NOAA climate normals record an annual average temperature of 37.6°F with 16.4 inches of precipitation per year and 77.9 inches of snowfall.

Alaska tracks close to the national cost-of-living baseline: the state registers 102.4 on a 100-equals-national-average index (Near Average) per BEA Regional Price Parities 2024. Statewide, HUD pegs Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom unit at $1,631 monthly. Monthly utility costs average around $271 across Alaska, per EIA 2023 residential energy estimates. On FEMA's National Risk Index, this area rates 97.4 out of 100 for natural-hazard exposure (Very High).

Population

289,069 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Alaska

Median Household Income

$98,152 /yr

Poverty 5.8%

Cost of Living Index (state)

102.4 (US=100)

Near Average - BEA RPP 2024, Alaska average

How does Anchorage compare to other US cities?

Here's how Anchorage stacks up against the full field of US cities (population 1,000+), computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 77% higher than other cities
Home value 75% pricier than other cities
Median rent 64% pricier than other cities
Safety 9% safer than other cities

"Safer than" reflects total crime rate from FBI UCR; the others use Census ACS estimates.

Zoom in to just Alaska and the picture shifts: Anchorage ranks #18 of 20 Alaska cities by lowest crime rate, a different read than the national percentile above.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

Each percentile compares Anchorage against every qualifying US city; each in-state rank narrows that to Alaska only. Full formula and direction notes: methodology.

Alaska-relative analysis

Median Home Value is Anchorage's strongest outlier among Alaska cities

Among the 200 Alaska cities PlainCities tracks with reported median home value data, Anchorage ranks #19 - the 91st percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Anchorage only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#30 of 215
86th percentile in Alaska
Median Gross Rent
#67 of 228
60th percentile in Alaska
Median Home Value
#19 of 200
91st percentile in Alaska
Poverty Rate
#152 of 225
32nd percentile in Alaska
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#23 of 228
89th percentile in Alaska

Ranked by raw value (highest first); a higher rank is not automatically "better" for every measure, see each metric's own context above. This is a comparison within Alaska only, not a livability score. See the methodology for the source and calculation.

77thIncome percentile
9thSafety percentile

77th percentile nationally for median household income · 9th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Anchorage's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Anchorage's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown. 3-axis radar comparing 1 series across Income, Affordability, Safety. IncomeAffordabilitySafety 39 Avg. percentile National median
Anchorage's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown.

How Anchorage's home value compares nationally

Median home value vs. every US city (population 1,000+)

$375,900 25th percentile more affordable than 25% of 15,600 US cities

$0–$25,000: 5 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $25,000–$50,000: 54 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $50,000–$75,000: 352 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $75,000–$100,000: 1,086 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). Below this entry. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Below this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Below this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Below this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). This entry sits in this band. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $550,000–$575,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $575,000–$600,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $600,000–$625,000: 163 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $625,000–$650,000: 167 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $650,000–$675,000: 135 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $675,000–$700,000: 101 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $700,000–$725,000: 95 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $725,000–$750,000: 71 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $750,000–$775,000: 65 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $775,000–$800,000: 70 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $800,000–$825,000: 57 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $825,000–$850,000: 67 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $850,000–$875,000: 60 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $875,000–$900,000: 58 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $900,000–$925,000: 47 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $925,000–$950,000: 37 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $950,000–$975,000: 31 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $975,000–$1,000,000: 470 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $1,000,000–$1,025,000: 0 US cities (0%). Above this entry. Anchorage $0 $1,025,000 every US city, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $25K-wide band; taller bars hold more US cities. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2023

Income distribution context

Household income distribution - Anchorage, AK Anchorage, AK's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Anchorage, AK-specific quintile data). The Lorenz curve traces the national cumulative income share against cumulative population share, perfect equality is the diagonal; observed inequality bows below. $ Household Income Distribution Anchorage, AK median $98,152/yr, vs. U.S. national quintile pattern QUINTILE SHARE OF AGGREGATE INCOME Lowest 20% 3.4% Second 20% 9.2% Middle 20% 15.1% Fourth 20% 23.2% Top 20% 49.1% LORENZ CURVE cumulative income vs. population 100% 0% 100% pop. 0%
Anchorage, AK's median household income (Census ACS 5-year estimate) plotted against the U.S. national income-quintile distribution pattern for context; the quintile shares and Lorenz curve are national figures, not computed specifically for Anchorage, AK. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 37.7%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 5.8%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 62.5%

Census ACS S2301, share of working-age residents in the labor force

Population
289,069
Median Income
$98,152
Median Home Value
$375,900
Median Age
34.9
Poverty Rate
5.8%
Labor force participation
62.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
37.7%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
3780.7
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
1014.8
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
2765.9
per 100,000 residents

Reflects incidents reported to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program — agency participation is voluntary and reporting completeness varies by jurisdiction and year, so this reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score. Not adjusted for tourism, commuter, or daytime population.

Climate

Avg Temperature
37.6°F
Annual Precipitation
16.4"
Annual Snowfall
77.9"

Schools

Total Schools
79
Public schools in this city

Population Change

Annual U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (PEP) estimates, 2020–2025

See the fastest-growing cities →
286,000 residents288,000 residents290,000 residents292,000 residents 202020212022202320242025 290,877 residents 287,155 residents ▼ -1.3%
Anchorage's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

Census Bureau Building Permits Survey (BPS) - annual residential permits authorized

📉 Construction Slowdown
Total Permits (2024)
341
housing units authorized
Single-Family
161
detached homes
Multifamily
180
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
1.2
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 1,059
2020 970
2021 1,133
2022 155
2023 299
2024 341

Permit volume decreased 68% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
71.0%
Carpool
12.4%
Public Transit
1.4%
Walk
2.6%
Work from Home
9.6%
Other
3.0%

Based on 148,502 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

State-average estimates for Alaska - EIA 2023 residential energy data

Electricity
$131
avg/month
Natural Gas
$95
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$45
avg/month
Total Utilities
$271
estimated/month

Estimates reflect Alaska state averages. Actual costs vary by home size, usage, and local rates. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023.

Living Costs & Risk

Cost of living is a Alaska state average from BEA; rent and hazard risk are county-level figures from HUD and FEMA for the county Anchorage sits in

Cost of Living Index
102.4
Near Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,631/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
97.4 / 100
Very High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Alaska

Fairbanks
32,242 people
Juneau city and
31,969 people
Badger
19,033 people
Knik-Fairview
18,921 people
College
11,730 people
North Lakes
10,583 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Anchorage's 289,069 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Durham, NC
288,465 people
Jersey City, NJ
289,691 people
Plano, TX
287,339 people
Lincoln, NE
291,932 people
St. Louis, MO
293,109 people
Greensboro, NC
298,564 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Anchorage's $98,152 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Shenandoah Farms, VA
$98,147 median income
La Habra, CA
$98,158 median income
Orangevale, CA
$98,158 median income
Montaqua, MT
$98,167 median income
Hainesburg, NJ
$98,167 median income
Shawneeland, VA
$98,167 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Anchorage, AK Race categories sum to one hundred percent per Census methodology. Hispanic or Latino is shown separately as an ethnicity overlay; it cuts across all race categories per OMB Directive 15. Race & Ethnicity Composition Anchorage, AK - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 58.3% 9.8% 7.3% 13.1% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 9.3% White 58.3% Black or African American 5.3% Asian 9.8% American Indian 7.3% Native Hawaiian 3.1% Some other race 3.1% Two or more races 13.1% Per OMB Directive 15: Hispanic/Latino ethnicity is reported separately from the race categories.
Race categories sum to 100%. Hispanic or Latino ethnicity is reported separately and cuts across race per Census/OMB methodology.

City-level race and ethnicity, Census ACS 5-year 2023 (tables B02001, B03001), OMB Directive 15 categories.

How Anchorage compares to nearby Alaska cities

Population + median household income, sourced from Census Bureau ACS 5-year B01001 (population) and B19013 (median household income).

City Population Median Household Income
Anchorage (this city) 289,069 $98,152
Fairbanks 32,242 $72,077
Juneau city and 31,969 $100,513
Badger 19,033 $98,042
Census ACS 5-year FIPS AK FBI UCR NOAA Normals NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Anchorage, AK?

What is the population of Anchorage, AK? +

Anchorage, AK counts 289,069 residents according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Anchorage, AK? +

Anchorage households earn a median of $98,152 annually, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Anchorage? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Anchorage; the closest available measure is the Alaska state average, a cost of living index of 102.4 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Near Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within Alaska vary by metro area.

Is Anchorage, AK safe? +

Anchorage has a total crime rate of 3780.7 per 100,000 residents, which is above the national average. This reflects incidents reported to the FBI UCR program, not a definitive safety score -- agency reporting is voluntary and completeness varies by jurisdiction.

What is the median home value in Anchorage, AK? +

Homes in Anchorage carry a median value of $375,900, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the climate like in Anchorage? +

Climate normals put Anchorage's yearly average temperature at 37.6°F, 16.4 inches of precipitation, and 77.9 inches of snowfall per year. Source: NOAA Climate Normals.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES CCD, Census BPS 2024, Census ACS B08301/B08136, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023, BEA Regional Price Parities 2024, HUD Fair Market Rents 2026, FEMA National Risk Index.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Primary sources: Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES.

Citation & verification links Data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainCities

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Every figure on PlainCities is rendered directly from Census ACS source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on Census ACS source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.