Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Anchorage, AK
VS
Westminster, 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
Westminster
California
10
wins
Cost of Living Index
115.5⚠ High
Median Household Income
$80,271
Violent Crime Index
115⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
90,638
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Anchorage, AK
Pros
Homes cost $413k less ($363,800 vs $777,100)
Rent averages $572/mo less ($1,405 vs $1,977)
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.3 pts lower (5.2%)
Households earn $15,460 more per year on average
Commutes run 9 min shorter each way
11% cheaper overall cost of living than Westminster
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
Westminster, CA
Pros
57% less violent crime than Anchorage
Milder winters — January highs near 69°F vs 21°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $777,100
Higher rents — median is $1,977/mo
Median income trails Anchorage by $15,460/yr
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 115.5)
Key Differences at a Glance
Anchorage
Cost of Living
11% cheaper
COL index 104.5 vs 115.5 (100 = US avg)
Anchorage
Median Income
$15,460
$95,731 vs $80,271/yr
Anchorage
Median Home Value
$413k less
$363,800 vs $777,100
Anchorage
Unemployment
2.3 pp lower
5.2% vs 7.5% unemployment
Westminster
Violent Crime
57% lower
436.2 vs 1014.8 per 100k
Westminster
Summer Heat
15.1°F warmer
July avg high 82.5°F vs 67.4°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Westminster, 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 | $777,100⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,405⚠ High ✓ Lower | $1,977⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $95,731 ✓ Higher | $80,271 |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 7.5%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 19.1 min ✓ Shorter | 28.0 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 8.7% | 9.0% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 213⚠ High | 116⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 267⚠ High | 115⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 132⚠ High | 119⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (94) ✓ Better | C- (72) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 19.3:1 ✓ Smaller | 22.8:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 37.0% ✓ Higher | 26.0% |
| High School or Higher | 94.2% ✓ Higher | 77.5% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Anchorage School District | Westminster |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 20.9°F | 69.3°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 67.4°F | 82.5°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 22.6" | 12.5" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 59.3" | 0.0" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 290,674 ✓ Larger | 90,638 |
| Median Age | 34.5 | 41.6 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.8% ✓ Higher | 52.4% |
| Under 18 | 23.9% ✓ More | 21.2% |
| Over 65 | 12.0% | 17.3% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Anchorage's cost of living index is 104.5 vs Westminster'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 Westminster 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 Westminster or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($363,800 vs $777,100 median home), income ($95,731 vs $80,271), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Anchorage, AK and Westminster, CA are about 2,347 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.