Median Age
37 Years
Largest Age Group
30-39 Years
Approximately 16% of Residents
Under 20
26%
Over 65
14%
Avg Rent
$1,343
Population
284,871
Renter Mix
41% Rent
Anchorage, Alaska's largest city, combines metropolitan amenities with wilderness adventures at its doorstep. Spanning 1,947 square miles between the Chugach Mountains and Cook Inlet, this remarkable city offers an extraordinary setting for urban living. The University of Alaska Anchorage anchors the academic community, while neighborhoods like South Addition feature historic homes along tree-lined streets. Downtown serves as the cultural heart of the city, and Midtown provides varied housing options from apartments to single-family homes, with current average rents ranging from $1,101 for studios to $1,914 for four-bedroom units.
The rental market shows consistent growth, with rates increasing across all unit sizes - one-bedroom apartments average $1,299, reflecting a 3.6% rise, while three-bedroom homes now average $1,763, a 4.6% increase. With a population of 284,871 and a median household income of $91,017, Anchorage maintains a strong economic foundation. The city offers abundant outdoor recreation, from the 11-mile Tony Knowles Coastal Trail to nearby skiing destinations. The Alaska Native Heritage Center showcases the rich cultural heritage of Alaska's indigenous peoples, while Town Square Park hosts seasonal activities including winter ice skating. The Anchorage Market draws locals and visitors to downtown during summer months, celebrating local crafts and regional products.
On a clear day, boaters can visibly see the mountains across the Cook Inlet in Anchorage.
Residents enjoy urban design and walkable sidewalks in downtown Anchorage.
Locals and visitors hop aboard Anchorage’s downtown trolley for scenic city views.
Much of Anchorage is backdropped by the Chugach Mountain range, including Huffman/O' Malley.
Roads in Anchorage showcase picturesque beauty alongside the Chugach Mountains.
Certain neighborhoods in the east side of Anchorage sit right against the rugged Chugach Mountains.
Median Household Income
$91,017
Average: $113,699
Education
86,076
Residents Have a Degree
Job Market
144,947
Workers Employed
Median Age
37 Years
Largest Age Group
30-39 Years
Approximately 16% of Residents
Under 20
26%
Over 65
14%
Housing Distribution
Anchorage has more homeowners than renters.
Education Distribution
Review this city's overall education levels.
As of May 2026, the average apartment rent in Anchorage, AK is $1,153 for a studio, $1,346 for one bedroom, $1,606 for two bedrooms, and $1,810 for three bedrooms. Apartment rent in Anchorage has increased by 1.1% in the past year.
The cost of living in Anchorage, AK is 25.4% higher than the national average. Generally, housing in Anchorage is 33.5% more expensive than the national average, with rent falling between $1,153 - $1,810. You can expect to pay 23.8% more for groceries, 11.3% more for utilities, and 18.4% more for transportation.
Compare Cities
Rabbit Creek Elementary School
Public
Grades PK-5
443 Students
Public
Grades PK-5
443 Students
Public
Grades PK-5
428 Students
Public
Grades PK-5
428 Students
Public
Grades PK-5
397 Students
Public
Grades PK-8
182 Students
Public
Grades 6-8
626 Students
Public
Grades K-12
495 Students
Public
Grades K-8
436 Students
Public
Grades 6-8
720 Students
Public
Grades 9-12
1,318 Students
Public
Grades 9-12
1,544 Students
Public
Grades 9-12
791 Students
Public
Grades K-12
495 Students
Family Partnership Charter School
Public
Grades K-12
1,740 Students
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Data provided by
GreatSchools.org
© 2026. All rights reserved.
† Our analysis of utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, home prices, and other goods and services is sourced from the Cost of Living Index, a respected benchmark published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER) that provides a thorough overview of living expenses across different regions.
Rent data is provided by CoStar Group’s Market Trend reports. As the industry leader in commercial real estate information, analytics, and news, CoStar conducts extensive research to produce and maintain a comprehensive database of commercial real estate information. We combine this data with public record to provide the most up-to-date rental information available.
Consumer goods, services, and home prices are sourced from the Cost of Living Index published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER). The data on this page is updated quarterly. It was last published in February 2026.
Demographic information comes from Neustar and combines detailed address data with U.S. Census and American Community Survey statistics to produce reliable local estimates.