CostIndexUSA

Anchorage, AK vs Phoenix, AZ Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

AK
Anchorage
105.4
overall index
$1,700/mo rent
More AffordableAZ
Phoenix
103.3
overall index
$1,725/mo rent

Phoenix is slightly cheaper than Anchorage — 2.0% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Anchorage, you would need $78,400 in Phoenix. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing+10.3%
Anchorage
109.9
Phoenix
121.2
🛒 Groceries11.5%
Anchorage
107.3
Phoenix
95
🚗 Transportation+0.6%
Anchorage
108.5
Phoenix
109.2
🏥 Healthcare+0.6%
Anchorage
98.2
Phoenix
98.8
Utilities16.5%
Anchorage
111.8
Phoenix
93.3

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Anchorage to see what you'd need to earn in Phoenix to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Phoenix, AZ
$78,400
$1,600 less needed in Phoenix

Formula: salary × (103.3 ÷ 105.4) = salary × 0.9801. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Anchorage, AK

Median Home Price
$403,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,700
Housing Index
109.9
Price-to-Rent Ratio
19.8×

Phoenix, AZ

Median Home Price
$442,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,725
Housing Index
121.2
Price-to-Rent Ratio
21.4×

Phoenix has 10.3% higher housing costs compared to Anchorage.

Income & Job Market

Anchorage, AK

Median Household Income
$94,200
Per Capita Income
$53,700
Unemployment Rate
3.7%
Population
291,538
Top Industries
GovernmentMilitaryTourismHealthcareEnergy

Phoenix, AZ

Median Household Income
$85,700
Per Capita Income
$48,800
Unemployment Rate
3.8%
Population
1,608,139
Top Industries
TechnologyHealthcareReal EstateTourismFinance

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Anchorage, AK
4.6×income-to-rent ratio

78% of income left after rent (median)

Phoenix, AZ
4.1×income-to-rent ratio

76% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.