Moving to Anchorage
What you need to know before relocating to Anchorage, Alaska. Data-driven insights on housing, jobs, safety, and quality of life.
Is Anchorage a Good Place to Live?
Anchorage presents a mixed picture. Prospective residents should weigh the tradeoffs carefully. Key considerations: home prices ($371,600) are above the us median; violent crime rate (726/100k) exceeds the national average.
Anchorage at a Glance
Cost of Living in Anchorage
The median rent in Anchorage is $1,428/month, while the median home value is $371,600. With a median household income of $94,150, residents spend roughly 18% of monthly income on rent.
Overall, the Anchorage metro area is classified as average compared to other US metros.
Job Market
Anchorage has a median household income of $94,150, which is 26% above the national median. The local unemployment rate is 3.8%, compared to the national average of 3.7%.
Safety in Anchorage
The violent crime rate in Anchorage is 726 per 100,000 residents, which is 91% above the national average of 380.
Property crime rate: 1877 per 100,000 residents.
Education in Alaska
Alaska has a high school graduation rate of 94% and per-pupil spending of $22,000/year. The student-to-teacher ratio is 15:1.
35% of Alaska adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Healthcare Access
Alaska has 235 physicians per 100,000 residents, a 10.6% uninsured rate, and 2.1 hospital beds per 1,000 people. Life expectancy in Alaska is 75.2 years.
Pros and Cons of Living in Anchorage
+Pros
- ✓Median household income ($94,150) exceeds the national median
- ✓High school graduation rate of 94%
-Cons
- ✗Home prices ($371,600) are above the US median
- ✗Violent crime rate (726/100k) exceeds the national average
- ✗Longer-than-average commute (181752 min)
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Anchorage a good place to live?⌄
Anchorage has both advantages and drawbacks. Prospective residents should weigh home prices ($371,600) are above the us median and violent crime rate (726/100k) exceeds the national average against other lifestyle factors.
What is the cost of living in Anchorage?⌄
The median rent in Anchorage is $1,428/month and the median home value is $371,600. The median household income is $94,150. Overall the metro is considered average.
Is Anchorage safe?⌄
Anchorage has a violent crime rate of 726 incidents per 100,000 residents. The national average is approximately 380 per 100,000.
What is the job market like in Anchorage?⌄
Anchorage has an unemployment rate of 3.8%, compared to the national average of 3.7%. The median household income is $94,150.