Anchorage, AK Livability

Best Places to Live in and Around Anchorage

Living in Anchorage, AK

Anchorage, Alaska is a highly populated city with a population of 299,321 people. Anchorage tends to attract a younger crowd, as the median age of 33 is far below the national average. Anchorage has a high percentage of people who are married with children when compared to the rest of the country. In total, more than 73% of the population is classified as married and 55% have kids.

If you’re considering relocating to any new city, it could be a very daunting task. However, it could also be a good experience if you are willing to get to know the area before actually living in Anchorage, Alaska. Finding the best places to live in Anchorage and nearby areas is a much easier task when you can rely on information and data from the livability score, which includes crime, weather, employment and other important metrics.

Anchorage, AK receives 52 out of 100 for its livability score; this results in a ranking of #134 in Alaska and #28,387 in the USA. Compared to the United States average, this area has a score which ranks among the lowest in the nation, and it is not considered a very livable city. Something also worth noting is that Anchorage ranks among some of the lowest scoring cities in the USA, with more than 90% of cities obtaining a higher score. If we explore each of the categories on their own, we see that Anchorage ranks well for amenities (A+) and employment (B-). The bad news for Anchorage, there are some categories for which it does not rank well, this includes: crime (F), cost of living (F), weather (F), education (F) and housing (F).

Conveniently located amenities and interesting attractions are a great way to continuously enjoy Anchorage on a regular basis. Knowing that there are an abundance of amenities and things to do can ensure that you always have access to nearby grocery stores, restaurants and coffee shops. Here are some of the more popular things to do in Anchorage: Anchorage Museum at Rasmuson Center, Alaska Native Heritage Center, and Tony Knowles Coastal Trail.

Unemployment rates can range pretty dramatically from one city to another. Knowing that Anchorage has an unemployment rate of 0.18% probably means that there are ample job opportunities for you to consider as it is far below the national average.

Anchorage real estate prices and overall affordability will play a huge role in determining if the area is the right fit for you. Of course there are probably some other items on your “wish list”, but even before they are considered, let’s take a look at the home prices and affordability in Anchorage. Median real estate prices in Anchorage come in at $298,000, which is 15.9% higher than the Alaska average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In Anchorage, the home price to income ratio is 3.7, which is 5.7% higher than the Alaska average. Knowing if your home will appreciate on a long term or even a short term basis should be factored into your decision making. An increase in your home’s value can be a good way to generate tax-free equity that can create long term financial security. In the past year, appreciation rates for homes in the Anchorage area were 1.2% and 5 year appreciation rates were 1.4%.

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