Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Anchorage, AK
VS
Jersey City, NJ
🏆 Anchorage leads 12 of 23 categories
Anchorage
Alaska
12
wins
Cost of Living Index
104.5⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$95,731 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
267⚠ High
Population
290,674 ✓ Larger
Jersey City
New Jersey
11
wins
Cost of Living Index
112.5⚠ High
Median Household Income
$91,151
Violent Crime Index
148⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
287,899
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Anchorage, AK
Pros
Homes cost $136k less ($363,800 vs $500,100)
Commutes run 18 min shorter each way
Rent averages $394/mo less ($1,405 vs $1,799)
Stronger job market — unemployment is 0.6 pts lower (5.2%)
Cooler summers — July highs near 67°F vs 87°F
8% cheaper overall cost of living than Jersey City
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
Jersey City, NJ
Pros
45% less violent crime than Anchorage
More college-educated — 51.9% hold a bachelor's or higher
Milder winters — January highs near 39°F vs 21°F
Smaller class sizes — 12.1:1 student-teacher ratio
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $500,100
Violent crime (561.6/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Higher rents — median is $1,799/mo
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 112.5)
Key Differences at a Glance
Anchorage
Cost of Living
8% cheaper
COL index 104.5 vs 112.5 (100 = US avg)
Anchorage
Median Income
$4,580
$95,731 vs $91,151/yr
Anchorage
Median Home Value
$136k less
$363,800 vs $500,100
Anchorage
Unemployment
0.6 pp lower
5.2% vs 5.8% unemployment
Jersey City
Violent Crime
45% lower
561.6 vs 1014.8 per 100k
Jersey City
Summer Heat
19.4°F warmer
July avg high 86.8°F vs 67.4°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Jersey City, NJ |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 104.5⚠ High ✓ Cheaper | 112.5⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $363,800⚠ High ✓ Lower | $500,100⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,405⚠ High ✓ Lower | $1,799⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $95,731 ✓ Higher | $91,151 |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 5.8%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 19.1 min ✓ Shorter | 37.0 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 8.7% | 18.7% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 213⚠ High | 127⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 267⚠ High | 148⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 132⚠ High | 97 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (94) | A- (117) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 19.3:1 | 12.1:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 37.0% | 51.9% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 94.2% ✓ Higher | 90.0% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Anchorage School District | Jersey City Public Schools |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 20.9°F | 39.4°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 67.4°F | 86.8°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 22.6" ✓ Drier | 50.4" |
| Annual Snowfall | 59.3" | 28.2" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 290,674 ✓ Larger | 287,899 |
| Median Age | 34.5 | 34.6 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.8% ✓ Higher | 29.2% |
| Under 18 | 23.9% ✓ More | 20.3% |
| Over 65 | 12.0% ✓ More | 11.3% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Anchorage's cost of living index is 104.5 vs Jersey City's 112.5 (US average = 100).
Anchorage is 8% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Anchorage leads 12 of 23 categories. Anchorage wins 12 and Jersey City wins 11. 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 Jersey City or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($363,800 vs $500,100 median home), income ($95,731 vs $91,151), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Anchorage, AK and Jersey City, NJ are about 3,340 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.