Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Anchorage, AK
VS
San Antonio, TX
🏆 San Antonio leads 14 of 23 categories
Anchorage
Alaska
9
wins
Cost of Living Index
104.5⚠ High
Median Household Income
$95,731 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
267⚠ High
Population
290,674
San Antonio
Texas
14
wins
Cost of Living Index
93.7 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$59,593
Violent Crime Index
156⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
1,445,662 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Anchorage, AK
Pros
Households earn $36,138 more per year on average
Cooler summers — July highs near 67°F vs 94°F
Stronger job market — unemployment is 0.7 pts lower (5.2%)
Commutes run 5 min shorter each way
More college-educated — 37.0% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $363,800
Violent crime (1014.8/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Higher rents — median is $1,405/mo
Property crime (2765.9/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
San Antonio, TX
Pros
Homes cost $166k less ($198,000 vs $363,800)
41% less violent crime than Anchorage
Milder winters — January highs near 63°F vs 21°F
Rent averages $216/mo less ($1,189 vs $1,405)
11% cheaper overall cost of living than Anchorage
Living costs sit below the national average (index 93.7)
Cons
Median income trails Anchorage by $36,138/yr
Violent crime (594.1/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (4623.6/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Higher unemployment (5.9% vs 5.2%)
Key Differences at a Glance
Anchorage
Median Income
$36,138
$95,731 vs $59,593/yr
Anchorage
Unemployment
0.7 pp lower
5.2% vs 5.9% unemployment
San Antonio
Cost of Living
11% cheaper
COL index 93.7 vs 104.5 (100 = US avg)
San Antonio
Violent Crime
41% lower
594.1 vs 1014.8 per 100k
San Antonio
Median Home Value
$166k less
$198,000 vs $363,800
San Antonio
Summer Heat
26.6°F warmer
July avg high 94.0°F vs 67.4°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | San Antonio, TX |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 104.5⚠ High | 93.7 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $363,800⚠ High | $198,000 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,405⚠ High | $1,189 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $95,731 ✓ Higher | $59,593 |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 5.9%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 19.1 min ✓ Shorter | 24.5 min |
| Work From Home % | 8.7% | 9.8% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 213⚠ High | 182⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 267⚠ High | 156⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 132⚠ High ✓ Safer | 220⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (94) | B (97) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 19.3:1 | 14.2:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 37.0% ✓ Higher | 27.7% |
| High School or Higher | 94.2% ✓ Higher | 83.8% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Anchorage School District | NORTHSIDE ISD |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 20.9°F | 63.2°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 67.4°F | 94.0°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 22.6" ✓ Drier | 34.0" |
| Annual Snowfall | 59.3" | 0.1" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 290,674 | 1,445,662 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 34.5 ✓ Older | 34.1 |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.8% ✓ Higher | 51.9% |
| Under 18 | 23.9% | 24.1% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 12.0% | 12.8% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Anchorage's cost of living index is 104.5 vs San Antonio's 93.7 (US average = 100).
San Antonio is 11% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, San Antonio leads 14 of 23 categories. Anchorage wins 9 and San Antonio wins 14. 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 San Antonio or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($363,800 vs $198,000 median home), income ($95,731 vs $59,593), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Anchorage, AK and San Antonio, TX are about 3,168 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.