Anchorage, AK vs Des Moines, WA
Side-by-side comparison of housing, income, commute, safety, and quality of life.
Score Snapshot
No universal winner
Scores summarize the published model. Use the objective metric differences below and your own priorities to choose.
Anchorage
64.2
#1706 nationally
Des Moines
64.6
#1684 nationally
Des Moines leads in crime level (8.1 vs 27.8). Anchorage leads in average commute (19.1 min vs 30.2 min). Des Moines leads in walk score (41 vs 31).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Des Moines, WA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 64.2 (#1706) | 64.6 (#1684) |
| Population | 286,075 | 31,988 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $425,357 | $607,792 |
| Median Household Income | $95,731 | $81,362 |
| Average Commute | 19.1 min | 30.2 min |
| Walk Score | 31 | 41 |
| Crime Level | 27.8 | 8.1 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 132 | 133 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+12.7 | D+51.7 |
Data coverage note: Anchorage is missing data for 1 metric that Des Moines has. Scores with less coverage are penalized — see our methodology.
D
64.2 Score
Anchorage, AK
Growing Alaska city with expanding opportunities
Median Home
$425,357
Population
286,075
Crime
Very High
Walk Score
31
Pacific
View Anchorage, AK →
D
64.6 Score
Des Moines, WA
Small Washington city with local appeal
Median Home
$607,792
Population
31,988
Crime
Moderate
Walk Score
41
Pacific
View Des Moines, WA →