CountyScore

Anchorage Municipality

Alaska · AK

#30 in Alaska
55.9
County Score

County Report Card

About Anchorage Municipality, Alaska

Solid performer above the U.S. baseline

Anchorage scores 55.9 out of 100, comfortably above the national median of 50.0. While it underperforms Alaska's 67.6 average, it remains competitive nationally and offers the resources and amenities of Alaska's largest urban center.

Alaska's major city lags state average

Anchorage ranks in the lower half of Alaska counties at 55.9 versus the state average of 67.6—a notable gap for the state's largest municipality. This reflects the common tradeoff between urban convenience and rural-area affordability.

Urban conveniences and exceptional safety

Anchorage delivers health scores of 71.5 and an exceptional risk score of 2.6, indicating strong public health infrastructure and minimal natural or economic hazards. The median household income of $98,152 provides solid earning potential in a major job market.

Higher taxes and moderate housing costs

The tax score of 65.9 reflects an effective rate of 1.294%—the highest of these Alaska counties—while cost (52.3) means median homes at $375,900 and rent at $1,453/month. These urban premiums erode the municipality's overall livability score.

Urban professionals seeking Alaska amenities

Anchorage appeals to career-focused individuals and families who value city infrastructure, diverse job markets, and healthcare access over rural affordability. It's ideal for those willing to pay urban prices for Alaska's largest, most connected community.

Score breakdown

5 dimensions have live data. 3 more coming as vertical sites launch.

Tax65.9Cost52.3SafetyComing SoonHealth71.5SchoolsComing SoonIncome47.4Risk2.6WaterComing Soon
🏛65.9
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠52.3
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼47.4
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤71.5
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡2.6
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty →
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncomeincomebycounty.com
Compare Anchorage Municipality with another county →

Counties with similar scores

St. Clair County
Illinois
55.9
Median income: $70,178
Ector County
Texas
55.9
Median income: $71,031
Napa County
California
56
Median income: $108,970
Naugatuck Valley Planning Region
Connecticut
55.8
Median income: $86,365
Peoria County
Illinois
56
Median income: $64,938

Deep Dives

Anchorage Municipality across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 5 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Anchorage Municipality

via TaxByCounty

Anchorage taxes hit state's highest rate

Anchorage Municipality's 1.294% effective tax rate is 68% above Alaska's state average of 0.772%, placing it among the nation's highest-taxing jurisdictions for its property values. With a median annual tax of $4,865, Anchorage residents pay 81% more than the national median of $2,690.

Alaska's most expensive tax burden

Anchorage's 1.294% effective rate far exceeds any other Alaska jurisdiction—making it the highest-taxing borough or census area in the state. This rate applies to a median home value of $375,900, generating Alaska's highest median annual property tax bill.

Double Chugach's rate, triple Copper River's

Anchorage's 1.294% rate nearly doubles Chugach Census Area's 0.917% and towers over Bristol Bay Borough's 0.717%. Only Anchorage carries this high burden among Alaska's populated regions.

Anchorage homeowners pay nearly $5,000

The median Anchorage home valued at $375,900 generates approximately $4,865 in annual property taxes—$4,964 with mortgage and $4,452 without. This is the highest tax bill in Alaska and exceeds the national median by $2,175 annually.

Appeal aggressive assessments in Anchorage

At Anchorage's high 1.294% rate, even modest assessment errors compound into significant overpayments. Many homeowners successfully challenge inflated valuations; an appeal is worth pursuing if your home is assessed above recent market sales.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Anchorage Municipality

via CostByCounty

Alaska's Hub: Just Below National Average

Anchorage renters dedicate 17.8% of income to housing, marginally above the national affordability threshold of 30% and matching Alaska's state average of 18.6%. With a median household income of $98,152—higher than the national median of $74,755—Anchorage balances strong earnings with reasonable housing costs.

Alaska's Most Balanced Housing Market

Anchorage's 17.8% rent-to-income ratio sits squarely at Alaska's state average, making it the state's most representative and stable housing market. As Alaska's largest municipality, Anchorage offers more housing supply and pricing diversity than remote boroughs, translating to greater affordability.

Competitive Pricing Among Urban Centers

Anchorage's median rent of $1,453 falls between smaller Chugach Census Area ($1,397) and more remote Aleutians West ($1,886). Home values average $375,900, reflecting Anchorage's position as Alaska's urban anchor with the most developed real estate market.

Urban Stability for Renters and Buyers

Renters spend $1,453 monthly on a $98,152 annual income, leaving 82.2% of earnings for other expenses, while homeowners face $1,933 monthly payments on properties averaging $375,900. Anchorage's dual affordability for both renters and buyers stands unmatched in Alaska.

Anchorage: Alaska's Most Livable Option

Relocating to Alaska? Anchorage offers the best combination of job opportunity, housing supply, and affordability the state provides. Compare its 17.8% rent-to-income ratio and $1,453 median rent against remote alternatives—you'll find Alaska's most balanced housing market here.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Anchorage Municipality

via IncomeByCounty

Anchorage Earns Above U.S. Average

Anchorage's median household income of $98,152 exceeds the national median of $74,755 by 31 percent, placing Alaska's largest city in the upper income echelon nationally. This strong earnings profile reflects the municipality's role as Alaska's economic and employment hub.

Alaska's Largest City, Strong Incomes

Anchorage ranks among Alaska's top income-earning regions with a median household income of $98,152, outpacing the state average of $79,407 by 24 percent. The municipality's size and economic diversity support sustained wage growth and employment stability.

Urban Center Outearns Rural Regions

Anchorage's $98,152 median household income significantly exceeds most rural Alaskan census areas, including Bethel ($70,616), Aleutians East ($72,692), and Copper River ($75,053). Only specialized resource economies like Bristol Bay Borough ($100,625) and Aleutians West ($107,344) approach Anchorage's earning levels.

Solid Housing Affordability for Earners

Anchorage's rent-to-income ratio of 17.8 percent keeps housing costs manageable, with a median home value of $375,900 remaining accessible for households earning $98,152 annually. The municipality's robust job market supports stable homeownership and rental markets.

Anchorage's Income Fuels Serious Wealth

With nearly $100,000 in annual household income, Anchorage residents can allocate substantial funds to retirement, education, and investment accounts. The municipality's economic stability and employment diversity create favorable conditions for long-term wealth accumulation through disciplined financial planning.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Anchorage Municipality

via HealthByCounty

Life expectancy slightly above national norm

Anchorage residents live to an average of 76.3 years, edging past the U.S. average of 76.1 years and Alaska's 75.6-year state average. Only 13.7% report poor or fair health—well below the national average of 17.5%—reflecting Alaska's largest city's healthcare infrastructure advantage.

Healthiest outcomes in Alaska

Anchorage's 13.7% poor/fair health rate ranks among the best in Alaska, and its 76.3-year life expectancy exceeds the state average by 0.7 years. As Alaska's medical and economic hub, the municipality captures disproportionate healthcare resources.

Provider density unmatched statewide

With 116 primary care and 782 mental health providers per 100,000 residents, Anchorage's provider ratio vastly exceeds smaller Alaska regions. This concentration of specialists, hospitals, and clinics makes it the state's healthcare epicenter.

Lowest uninsured rate statewide

Just 12.1% of Anchorage residents lack health insurance—below the state average of 15.9%—meaning most people can access preventive and emergency care without delay. Urban density and a stronger job market with employer benefits explain the superior coverage rate.

Options abound in Anchorage

Whether through employer plans, the marketplace, or Medicaid, Anchorage residents have abundant coverage choices at healthcare.gov or through local navigators. Check your eligibility today—coverage costs less than you may think, and gaps create needless financial risk.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Anchorage Municipality

via RiskByCounty

Alaska's riskiest municipality faces multiple threats

Anchorage Municipality's composite score of 97.39 ranks it among the highest-risk counties nationwide, driven by extreme earthquake (99.49) and wildfire (78.63) scores. This Relatively High rating means residents contend with more natural disaster exposure than most Americans.

Ranks highest among Alaska communities

Anchorage's 97.39 score is nearly triple Alaska's 35.22 state average, making it the state's most hazard-exposed municipality. No other Alaskan county or census area faces comparably stacked disaster risks across multiple hazard types.

Far riskier than surrounding areas

Anchorage Municipality at 97.39 dwarfs nearby Chugach Census Area (19.62) and Copper River Census Area (39.95) in composite risk. Anchorage's concentration of people, infrastructure, and geographic exposure creates substantially higher disaster vulnerability than surrounding regions.

Three major hazards converge here

Earthquake risk (99.49) is nearly perfect score, wildfire exposure (78.63) is the second-highest in the state, and flood risk (28.00) adds additional complexity. This convergence of three serious hazards makes Anchorage uniquely vulnerable compared to other Alaska communities.

Multiple insurance policies are essential

Anchorage residents need earthquake insurance (standard policies exclude it), wildfire/homeowners coverage, and flood insurance if in a high-risk zone. These overlapping threats demand comprehensive protection—don't rely on one policy to cover all risks.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

ByCounty Network

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Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS — informational only.