Relocation profile · Federal data
Anchorage, AK
BEA RPP 105.4 ranks #360 of 387 scored metros for higher prices (dearer third).
- 105.4
- Cost index (US=100)
- $1,631
- 2BR rent / mo
- $79,131
- Median salary
- 39.2
- LiveAbility Score
The verdict
As of June 2026, Anchorage ranks #331 of 387 US metros on the LiveAbility Score (39.2/100), with its strongest marks in air quality and low hazard.
- #331
- of 387 US metros · Below median
- 740,133
- metro-area population
- 728
- violent crimes per 100K (state-level)
- 496
- schools in the state (NCES)
Weakest dimension: climate (0/100). Weigh every dimension against your own priorities, use the City Finder to re-rank by what matters to you.
According to PlainRelocate's LiveAbility composite (BEA, BLS, HUD, FBI, NCES, EPA, NOAA, and FEMA inputs), Anchorage ranks #331 of 387 scored US metros by LiveAbility Score (highest score = #1). Cost-of-living index 105.4 (100 = national average), median 2-bedroom rent $1,631/mo, median salary $79,131; LiveAbility Score 39.2/100, strongest in air quality and low hazard.
Signature: BEA RPP 105.4 ranks #360 of 387 scored metros for higher prices (dearer third).
Purchasing power tightens: BEA RPP 105.4 lands in the dearer third of scored metros (cuts at 91.5 / 97.0). Median 2BR rent $1,631/mo.
LiveAbility 39.2/100 puts Anchorage in the bottom third (#331 of 387).
BLS OEWS total employment in the Anchorage area is 169,010.
Anchorage vs all US metros by LiveAbility Score
Where this metro's LiveAbility Score falls among every scored US metro (composite placement, not a desirability verdict)
39 Top 86% higher than 14% of 387 US metros
Metros banded by LiveAbility Score (0–100)
Each bar is a band; taller bars hold more US metros. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count and share, and where it sits relative to this entry.
Source PlainRelocate LiveAbility Score · June 2026
Anchorage housing and rent
HUD Fair Market Rents for the Anchorage MSA; housing RPP 109.9 (100 = national average); 2BR $1,631/mo.
Anchorage wages and employment
Anchorage posts 169,010 total employment with median salary $79,131 against a dearer-than-average RPP.
Top Occupations by Employment
| Occupation | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Registered Nurses | $115,290 |
| Retail Salespersons | $37,520 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $39,140 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $40,310 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $33,280 |
Schools & Education
State-level education data for the Anchorage area from NCES.
Childcare Costs
State-average childcare costs for the Anchorage area (DOL data).
Life Score Breakdown
Anchorage's composite Life Score is 43.9/100 (F), computed across 7 of 7 dimensions.
LiveAbility Score
View full rankings →Anchorage ranks #331 out of 387 metros with a LiveAbility Score of 39.2/100 - a composite of 8 of 8 quality-of-life dimensions from federal data. Customize the weights to match your priorities →
Anchorage - dimension scores
Percentile vs all US metros (100 = best in the nation for that dimension)
- Air quality
Air quality
97 /100
- Low hazard
Low hazard
97 /100
- Job market
Job market
92 /100
- Housing 24
Housing
24 /100
- Schools 9
Schools
9 /100
- Cost of living 7
Cost of living
7 /100
- Safety 0
Safety
0 /100
- Climate 0
Climate
0 /100
What this shows Anchorage's strongest dimensions are air quality and low hazard; its weakest among scored dims is climate at 0/100. Default weights: cost 18%, jobs & housing 15% each, safety & schools 12%, air & hazard 10%, climate 8%.
Compare Anchorage to
Metros near Anchorage on cost, LiveAbility, or wages
Nearest out-of-state neighbors to Anchorage on BEA RPP, LiveAbility, or BLS median salary, a different lens than the size-ranked list.
Similar cost of living (BEA RPP)
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities, HUD Fair Market Rents, BLS OES, FBI UCR, NCES, DOL, EPA June 2026
Anchorage cost figures follow BEA Regional Price Parities and HUD Fair Market Rents; Anchorage wages and LiveAbility inputs follow BLS OEWS plus the federal sources listed in methodology. This information is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Scores are federal-data percentiles, not a move recommendation. How this data is sourced.
Verify with BEA → · Verify with BLS → · Verify with HUD → · Verify with NOAA → · Verify with FEMA → · Verify with Census →
Thinking about Anchorage?
Anchorage runs a $79,131 median salary at a 105.4 cost index, ranking #331 of 387 nationally on LiveAbility.
- See exactly what Anchorage's pay and cost figures mean for your own budget. Salary calculator
- Put Anchorage head-to-head against another city on the same dimensions. Compare Anchorage
- Abilene is the closest related metro in this corpus -- see how it stacks up. Abilene profile
- A cheaper cost index and a higher LiveAbility score don't always point the same direction -- here's how to weigh the trade-off. Cost vs quality guide
Cost, salary and score figures are federal-data percentiles, not a move recommendation.