Anchorage, AK, known as 'The Last Frontier,' offers a unique blend of natural beauty and urban amenities. Located in southern Alaska, Anchorage is a large city that serves as a major cultural and economic hub. Major nearby cities like Fairbanks and Juneau enhance its status as a central point in the region. Anchorage's blend of scenic landscapes, cultural festivals, and urban amenities creates a distinctive living experience.
Anchorage is home to several iconic landmarks, including the Alaska Native Heritage Center, the historic Anchorage Museum, and the scenic Tony Knowles Coastal Trail. The city offers a variety of attractions, from the beautiful Chugach State Park to the bustling Downtown Anchorage, known for its shopping and dining. Anchorage's dining scene is diverse, offering everything from Alaskan seafood to international cuisine.
Annual events such as the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race and the Anchorage Fur Rendezvous highlight the city's vibrant cultural scene and provide unique entertainment opportunities for residents and visitors. These events celebrate Anchorage's rich cultural heritage and community spirit. Prestigious institutions like the University of Alaska Anchorage contribute to the city's academic and cultural vibrancy, fostering a thriving intellectual community.
The arts and culture scene in Anchorage is dynamic and diverse, with numerous theaters, music venues, and art galleries. The Alaska Center for the Performing Arts and the Anchorage Symphony Orchestra are just a few of the cultural landmarks that showcase the city's commitment to the arts. Living in Anchorage provides ample opportunities to engage with art, music, and history, making it an exciting place to call home.
Anchorage’s community is welcoming and diverse, creating a friendly environment for newcomers. The city is home to professional sports teams like the Alaska Aces (ECHL), providing plenty of excitement for sports fans. Major industries in Anchorage include healthcare, tourism, and government, with significant employers such as Providence Alaska Medical Center and the Municipality of Anchorage driving economic growth. The city has extensive public transit options, including buses and bike-sharing programs, making it easy to navigate the city.
Amenities
An abundance of amenities, including restaurants, coffee shops, grocery stores and fitness facilities, are conveniently situated within walking distance of the area.
Commute
High commute scores indicates that public transit should be easily accessible in this area and the average commute time to work is less than average.
Employment
The combination of higher than average median home income, income per capita and low unemployment rates results in a score that is well above average in the employment category.
Housing
This area has received high scores in the housing category. This could be due to a positive home affordability ratio, high appreciation rates or elevated home values.
Health & Safety
A high score in the health and safety category is a result of good air quality and the accessibility to health facilities such as hospitals, clinics, doctors, pharmacies and fire stations.
Cost Of Living
Based on the most recent cost of living data, this area is more expensive to live in. You can expect to pay more for everyday goods and services, housing, groceries and utilities.
Crime
This area is reporting high crime rates per 100,000 people and could signify that it is a dangerous place to live. Crime rates include both violent and property crimes.
Anchorage is a large city located in the state of Alaska. The city has a population of 292,090 people. If you are not a fan of long commutes, you will enjoy living in Anchorage. With an average one way commute time of only 19 minutes, getting to and from work is a breeze compared to the national average of 26 minutes.
Whether you’re relocating to a new city to be closer to family, friends or for a new job, living in Anchorage could be a positive experience compared to other cities in Alaska if you know where to look. Don't forget to determine what matters most to you in a neighborhood. Consider factors such as safety, proximity to work or school, access to amenities (like parks, fitness facilities, grocery stores, restaurants), public transportation options, community atmosphere and the overall vibe you're looking for. Using the livability score which includes data from categories like cost of living, education, employment, housing, you can easily compare the best places to live in Anchorage and also determine if there are any nearby cities that might be a better match for your lifestyle. You can also compare Anchorage to Alaska and the national average.
With a livability score of 77 out of 100, Anchorage is ranked #2,266 in the United States and #5 in Alaska. Compared to the US average, Anchorage ranks among some of the best places to live in the country! Anchorage has also earned the rare honor of ranking in the top 10 percentile among all cities. If we examine each of the categories individually, we see that Anchorage ranks well for education (A), employment (A+) and housing (A-). Anchorage does not do well for the following: crime (F) and cost of living (F). It might be wise to take a closer look at each category to find out why.
Anchorage has many conveniently situated amenities and captivating attractions that adds to the continuous enjoyment of your everyday life. Having the assurance of abundant conveniences and a wide array of activities ensures your easy access to nearby grocery stores, restaurants, bars, fitness facilities, coffee shops and exciting entertainment options. This not only simplifies daily routines but also fosters a vibrant and dynamic lifestyle within the community. With a wealth of resources at your fingertips, you can savor the convenience and variety that Anchorage has to offer, making it a desirable destination for those seeking both accessibility and enjoyment in their daily lives. Among the enticing options for fun and exploration in Anchorage are: Anchorage Museum at Rasmuson Center, Alaska Native Heritage Center, and Tony Knowles Coastal Trail.
Real estate represents the most substantial investment for homebuyers, constituting their most valuable asset. Renters, on the other hand, typically see their monthly rent as their most significant expense. The Anchorage market earns a high score in the housing category, surpassing the national average in factors like home and rental affordability and appreciation rates. This robust real estate market not only benefits individual homeowners and renters but also spurs vigorous local economic activity and job growth, solidifying its significance in driving the region's prosperity and financial well-being.
Assuming that Anchorage meets all of your requirements like low crime rates, good schools and great local amenities, the next most important item to examine is the affordability of real estate in Anchorage. Everything else becomes a lot less important if it turns out that home prices in Anchorage are simply unattainable. The median home price for Anchorage homes is $320,100, which is 24.5% higher than the Alaska average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Anchorage, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 3.8, which is 8.6% higher than the Alaska average.
| Statistic | Anchorage | Alaska | National |
| Average one way commute | 19min | 19min | 26min |
| Workers who drive to work | 75.0% | 68.1% | 76.4% |
| Workers who carpool | 12.4% | 12.5% | 9.3% |
| Workers who take public transit | 1.5% | 1.5% | 5.1% |
| Workers who bicycle | 1.1% | 1.0% | 0.6% |
| Workers who walk | 2.6% | 7.9% | 2.8% |
| Working from home | 5.5% | 4.6% | 4.6% |
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