Living in Anchorage, Alaska
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Anchorage · Census data 2020–2024
Anchorage has 288,976 residents with a median age of 35.2. The median household income is $103,284 (11% higher than the Alaska median), the median home value is $395,900, the median rent is $1,489/month.
Anchorage at a glance
- Population
- 288,976
- Median age
- 35.2State: 35.8
- Median household income
- $103,284State: $92,788
- Median home value
- $395,900State: $352,900
- Median rent
- $1,489/moState: $1,419
- Homeowners
- 63.9%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 38.7%
- Average commute
- 19 min
Is Anchorage a good place to live?
Pros: Median household income 11% higher than the Alaska median; an average commute of 19 minutes; unemployment of 4.6%; a poverty rate of 8.9%.
Cons: Home values 12% higher than the state median.
The weather is best in May to August.
Cost of living in Anchorage
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Anchorage the median home value is $395,900, 19% higher than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $1,489 per month, which is 28.5% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $2,400 a month in housing costs.
Anchorage median household income
The median household income in Anchorage is $103,284 and the income per person is $51,144. 8.9% of residents live below the poverty line (Alaska: 10.1%).
Housing in Anchorage: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 120,348
- Owner-occupied
- 63.9%
- Renter-occupied
- 36.1%
- Vacant
- 9.8%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1982
- Average household size
- 2.59
Anchorage demographics
- Population
- 288,976
- Median age
- 35.2
- Under 18
- 23.5%
- 65 and older
- 12.9%
- Households
- 108,597
- Foreign-born
- 10.9%
- Veterans
- 11%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Anchorage ›
Education in Anchorage
38.7% of adults 25 and older in Anchorage have a bachelor's degree or higher (Alaska: 31.7%), and 14.9% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Anchorage
- Unemployment rate
- 4.6%State: 5.9%
- Average commute
- 19 minState: 19 min
- Work from home
- 10.9%
- Drive alone
- 69.9%
- Public transit
- 1.4%
- Walk to work
- 2.6%
- Homes with broadband
- 94.5%
Anchorage vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anchorage | 288,976 | $103,284 | $395,900 | $1,489 |
| Knik River | 883 | $109,464 | $304,400 | $1,375 |
| Knik-Fairview | 19,972 | $96,437 | $340,200 | $1,588 |
| Butte | 4,085 | $101,042 | $374,600 | $1,610 |
| Gateway | 6,845 | $137,772 | $446,200 | $1,741 |
| South Lakes | 6,180 | $98,141 | $377,500 | $1,178 |
| Wasilla | 9,720 | $67,234 | $358,400 | $1,153 |
| Palmer | 6,268 | $72,201 | $294,900 | $1,125 |
| North Lakes | 10,223 | $101,679 | $357,600 | $1,441 |
More for people moving to Anchorage
Anchorage ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Anchorage: FAQ
What is the median household income in Anchorage, AK?
The median household income in Anchorage is $103,284, 11% higher than the Alaska median of $92,788 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
What is the average home price in Anchorage?
The median home value in Anchorage is $395,900, compared with $352,900 in Alaska.
How much is rent in Anchorage?
The median gross rent in Anchorage is $1,489 per month, about 28.5% of household income.
Is Anchorage, AK a good place to live?
Pluses: median household income 11% higher than the Alaska median; an average commute of 19 minutes; unemployment of 4.6%; a poverty rate of 8.9%. Minuses: home values 12% higher than the state median.
What is the median age in Anchorage?
The median age in Anchorage is 35.2 years (Alaska: 35.8).
How long is the commute in Anchorage?
The average commute to work in Anchorage is 19 minutes; 10.9% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Anchorage?
The unemployment rate in Anchorage is 4.6% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Anchorage?
38.7% of adults in Anchorage have a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024 (margins of error apply, especially in small towns). Figures are in 2024 dollars.
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