Anchorage, AK vs Irvine, CA
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
Irvine
67.2
#1452 nationally
Irvine leads in walk score (44 vs 31). Anchorage leads in average commute (19.1 min vs 25.8 min). Anchorage leads in cost of living index (132 vs 178).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Irvine, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 64.2 (#1706) | 67.2 (#1452) |
| Population | 286,075 | 307,670 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $425,357 | $1,517,431 |
| Median Household Income | $95,731 | $116,519 |
| Average Commute | 19.1 min | 25.8 min |
| Walk Score | 31 | 44 |
| Crime Level | 27.8 | Very Low |
| School Rating | N/A | 9.5 |
| Cost of Living Index | 132 | 178 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+12.7 | D+2.6 |
Data coverage note: Anchorage is missing data for 1 metric that Irvine 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+
67.2 Score
Irvine, CA
Master-planned perfection in Southern California
Median Home
$1,517,431
Population
307,670
Crime
Very Low
Schools
A+
Pacific
View Irvine, CA →