Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Anchorage, AK
VS
El Monte, CA
🏆 Anchorage leads 13 of 23 categories
Anchorage
Alaska
13
wins
Cost of Living Index
104.5⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$95,731 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
267⚠ High
Population
290,674 ✓ Larger
El Monte
California
10
wins
Cost of Living Index
115.5⚠ High
Median Household Income
$59,929
Violent Crime Index
111⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
108,682
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Anchorage, AK
Pros
Homes cost $233k less ($363,800 vs $597,200)
Households earn $35,802 more per year on average
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.8 pts lower (5.2%)
More college-educated — 37.0% hold a bachelor's or higher
Commutes run 10 min shorter each way
Rent averages $200/mo less ($1,405 vs $1,605)
Cons
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
Snowy winters — about 59" of snow per year
El Monte, CA
Pros
58% less violent crime than Anchorage
Milder winters — January highs near 69°F vs 21°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $597,200
Median income trails Anchorage by $35,802/yr
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 115.5)
Higher rents — median is $1,605/mo
Key Differences at a Glance
Anchorage
Cost of Living
11% cheaper
COL index 104.5 vs 115.5 (100 = US avg)
Anchorage
Median Income
$35,802
$95,731 vs $59,929/yr
Anchorage
Median Home Value
$233k less
$363,800 vs $597,200
Anchorage
Unemployment
1.8 pp lower
5.2% vs 7.0% unemployment
El Monte
Violent Crime
58% lower
423.2 vs 1014.8 per 100k
El Monte
Summer Heat
18.1°F warmer
July avg high 85.5°F vs 67.4°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | El Monte, CA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 104.5⚠ High ✓ Cheaper | 115.5⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $363,800⚠ High ✓ Lower | $597,200⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,405⚠ High ✓ Lower | $1,605⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $95,731 ✓ Higher | $59,929 |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 7.0%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 19.1 min ✓ Shorter | 29.3 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 8.7% ✓ Higher | 4.9% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 213⚠ High | 106⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 267⚠ High | 111⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 132⚠ High | 98 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (94) ✓ Better | C- (66) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 19.3:1 | 19.2:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 37.0% ✓ Higher | 13.7% |
| High School or Higher | 94.2% ✓ Higher | 63.9% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Anchorage School District | Mountain View Elementary |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 20.9°F | 68.6°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 67.4°F | 85.5°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 22.6" | 15.7" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 59.3" | 0.0" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 290,674 ✓ Larger | 108,682 |
| Median Age | 34.5 | 37.4 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.8% ✓ Higher | 39.6% |
| Under 18 | 23.9% ✓ More | 22.4% |
| Over 65 | 12.0% | 14.6% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Anchorage's cost of living index is 104.5 vs El Monte's 115.5 (US average = 100).
Anchorage is 11% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Anchorage leads 13 of 23 categories. Anchorage wins 13 and El Monte wins 10. 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 El Monte or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($363,800 vs $597,200 median home), income ($95,731 vs $59,929), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Anchorage, AK and El Monte, CA are about 2,326 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.