AreaScoop
Anchorage, AK

Photo: Wikipedia

Anchorage, AK

Find The Best Places To Live
in Anchorage

PRO TIP! You can paste a Zillow or Redfin link.

Demographics

Majority WhiteSimpson's Diversity Index: 68
Population289,069
Foreign Born3.8%
Population Density169people per mi²
Median Age34.9 yrs
Demographics Trajectory
StableSince 2010, this city has held a relatively stable population and racial composition.
Current Race / Ethnicity Breakdown
Population Trends

Quality of Life

Overall Quality Of Life
A-
Great

A high quality of life with strong walkability, manageable living costs, healthy neighborhood signals, and solid amenity access.

Quality of Life blends cost of living, nearby amenities, socioeconomic signals, and neighborhood character. City-level scores represent the whole municipality; individual neighborhoods can differ.

Cost of Living

128/100

28% above national average

B+

The Real Cost of Living in Anchorage, Alaska

TierIndividualFamily (4)
Survival $23k$44k
Comfortable $73k$107k
Luxury $165k+$256k+
Elite (Top 5%) $195k+$302k+
Affordability Ratio

91%

The Hood Index™

A metric tracking the socioeconomic signals of the area.

A-
Hood Index scan area
Luxury Lean80%
RisksNeutralGrowth
Premium
40
Positive
40
Poor
3
Negative
39

Groceries

5 within 10 miles

1.9mi

Gas

0 within 10 miles

Hospital

3 within 20 miles

2.4mi

Airport

Merrill Field Airport

1.9mi

Post Office

USPS — Anchorage, AK

3.7mi

Critical Amenities

Country Clubs

Nearest private club or country club.

Golf4Nearest 3.9 mi
Camping20Nearest 0.2 mi
Marina0 
Winery0 
Ice Rink6Nearest 0.6 mi
Gun Range10Nearest 1.7 mi

Affluence Level

Overall Affluence Grade
C
Average

A middle-class area roughly in line with national averages across income, home values, education, and employment.

Median HHI
$98k+2.5%
31% above US avg
Est. Avg Net Worth
$442k
33% below US avg
College Educated
37.7%
8% above US avg
WFH
9.6%
33% below US avg
Homeownership
63.7%
3% below US avg
Median Home
$376k
33% above US avg

Crime

Overall Crime Grade
F
High Risk

Significantly higher crime rates than 83% of comparable U.S. locations.

Crime Rate
43.6
Incidents per 1,000 residents
5yr Trend
+147.8%
Overall crime change since 2020

Violent Crime

5yr+121.3%
Homicide
0.08 / 1k Residents38% above state avg
Robbery
1.80 / 1k Residents115% above state avg
Aggravated Assault
6.93 / 1k Residents34% above state avg

Property Crime

5yr+174.3%
Burglary
3.70 / 1k Residents47% above state avg
Larceny-Theft
24.32 / 1k Residents79% above state avg
Motor Vehicle Theft
5.05 / 1k Residents82% above state avg
Source: FBI Crime Data · 2025

Political Climate

Cook PVI: R+6Leans Conservative

District shown is the primary district for this city’s centroid. Cities may span multiple districts.

Presidential Voting Trends for Anchorage, Alaska
Dem Rep
20%30%40%50%60%70%2000200420082012201620202024

Inherited from parent state — no local data available.

Personal Sovereignty

Personal Sovereignty measures your capacity for self-reliance and independence with minimal government friction. Higher scores mean fewer barriers between you and the way you want to live... but it assumes you have the space you need and good neighbors.

Overall Sovereignty Grade
A
High Autonomy

Strong independent fundamentals that actively favor personal liberty and low regulation.

State Policy

Tax Burden
A+
Great4.6% of income
Property Rights
C
FairIJ Grade C
Firearm Rights
A
GreatFPC Grade A
Homeschooling
A+
GreatNo notice required

Energy independence: Net exporter (350% of energy produced in-state)

Personal Liberty

Raw Milk
A+
Fully OpenRetail sales legal
Gambling Laws
F
ProhibitedTribal · Poker · Betting
Marijuana Laws
A+
Fully LegalRecreational

Homesteading

Growing Season156 days180 frost-free
Annual Rainfall32.2"
Elevation108 ft

Strategic Assessment

Strategic Assessment grades tactical survivability using Joel Skousen's Strategic Relocation framework. Major population centers, blast zones, natural disasters, and border exposure all drive risk — lower exposure means a more defensible position in a crisis.

Learn more about Strategic Relocation ($)
Overall Strategic Grade
D
Vulnerable

Multiple tactical vulnerabilities. Population density, target proximity, or disaster risk are likely compounding. A retreat property and exit planning is required.

Strategic Pillars

City Proximity
F
Poor0.0 mi to nearest major city
Pop. Density
B-
Fair169/sq mi
Fallout Danger
F
Poor15 within ~30 mi
Natural Disaster
F
PoorEarthquake
Border / Coast
A+
Greatborder 1221 mi · coast 1219 mi
FEMA Expected Loss$366.8M/yrfor the county

Key Distances

Nearest Major CityAnchorage291k people are 0.0 mi away
Nearest Major AirportNo hub airport within 50 mi
Distance to State Capital573 miJuneau, AK
Nearest Prison0.3 mi5 within 25 mi

* Values derived from national, state, county, city and local statistics and may differ in a specific area. Last updated: 2026-04-19T19:14:18.000Z

What your realtor won't tell you!

Find the best place to live

Go beyond the listing to get the inside scoop on any home in the US.

PRO TIP! You can paste a Zillow or Redfin link.