Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Anchorage, AK
VS
Birmingham, AL
🏆 Anchorage leads 14 of 23 categories
Anchorage
Alaska
14
wins
Cost of Living Index
104.5⚠ High
Median Household Income
$95,731 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
267⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
290,674 ✓ Larger
Birmingham
Alabama
9
wins
Cost of Living Index
92.6 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$42,464
Violent Crime Index
328⚠ High
Population
200,431
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Anchorage, AK
Pros
Households earn $53,267 more per year on average
19% less violent crime than Birmingham
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.3 pts lower (5.2%)
Cooler summers — July highs near 67°F vs 91°F
More college-educated — 37.0% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $363,800
Higher rents — median is $1,405/mo
Violent crime (1014.8/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (2765.9/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Birmingham, AL
Pros
Homes cost $241k less ($123,000 vs $363,800)
Rent averages $410/mo less ($995 vs $1,405)
Milder winters — January highs near 55°F vs 21°F
12% cheaper overall cost of living than Anchorage
Living costs sit below the national average (index 92.6)
Cons
Median income trails Anchorage by $53,267/yr
Violent crime (1246.6/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (4031.4/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Higher unemployment (7.5% vs 5.2%)
Key Differences at a Glance
Anchorage
Median Income
$53,267
$95,731 vs $42,464/yr
Anchorage
Violent Crime
19% lower
1014.8 vs 1246.6 per 100k
Anchorage
Unemployment
2.3 pp lower
5.2% vs 7.5% unemployment
Birmingham
Cost of Living
12% cheaper
COL index 92.6 vs 104.5 (100 = US avg)
Birmingham
Median Home Value
$241k less
$123,000 vs $363,800
Birmingham
Summer Heat
23.6°F warmer
July avg high 91.0°F vs 67.4°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Birmingham, AL |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 104.5⚠ High | 92.6 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $363,800⚠ High | $123,000 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,405⚠ High | $995 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $95,731 ✓ Higher | $42,464 |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 7.5%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 19.1 min ✓ Shorter | 21.6 min |
| Work From Home % | 8.7% ✓ Higher | 7.6% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 213⚠ High ✓ Safer | 274⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 267⚠ High ✓ Safer | 328⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 132⚠ High ✓ Safer | 192⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (94) ✓ Better | C+ (89) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 19.3:1 | 19.2:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 37.0% ✓ Higher | 29.4% |
| High School or Higher | 94.2% ✓ Higher | 88.1% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Anchorage School District | Birmingham City |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 20.9°F | 54.5°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 67.4°F | 91.0°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 22.6" ✓ Drier | 58.1" |
| Annual Snowfall | 59.3" | 1.4" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 290,674 ✓ Larger | 200,431 |
| Median Age | 34.5 | 35.9 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.8% ✓ Higher | 45.9% |
| Under 18 | 23.9% ✓ More | 19.5% |
| Over 65 | 12.0% | 16.2% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Anchorage's cost of living index is 104.5 vs Birmingham's 92.6 (US average = 100).
Birmingham is 12% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Anchorage leads 14 of 23 categories. Anchorage wins 14 and Birmingham wins 9. The right choice depends on your priorities — use the Pros & Cons and full table above to weigh what matters to you.
Whether you're moving from Anchorage to Birmingham or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($363,800 vs $123,000 median home), income ($95,731 vs $42,464), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Anchorage, AK and Birmingham, AL are about 3,314 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.