Performance
Score Breakdown
Anchorage
Homewood
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Homewood is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
41% higher compared to Anchorage.
Housing costs are a major driver: Anchorage's average rent is
22% higher than Homewood's.
| Metric | Anchorage | Homewood | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,950 | $1,596 | +22% |
| Groceries | $670 | $450 | +49% |
| Utilities | $310 | $180 | +72% |
| Transport | $240 | $150 | +60% |
| Healthcare | $520 | $250 | +108% |
| Monthly Total | $3,690 | $2,626 | +41% |
| Cost Index | 119 | 105 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Anchorage offers 56% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Anchorage delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Anchorage is estimated at
$79,000 vs $40,000 in Homewood.
| Metric | Anchorage | Homewood |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $84,000 | $53,746 |
| Salary Needed | $79,000 | $40,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 70,588 idx | 51,187 idx |
| Household Income | $86,500 | $94,485 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Anchorage runs warmer on average — a 37.5°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Anchorage comes out ahead with 126 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Anchorage sees 79.2 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Anchorage | Homewood |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 37.50°F | °F |
| Summer High | 66.00°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 11.00°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 16.50 in | in |
| Snowfall | 79.20 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 126 | |
| Humidity | 75.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Homewood has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
1,500 minutes (25 hours) per year compared to Anchorage.
Anchorage scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Homewood leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Anchorage | Homewood |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 20 min | 17 min |
| Transit Score | 31.5/10 | 30.0/10 |
| Walkability | 42.2/10 | 55.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 40.00 | 40.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Anchorage is the larger city
— approximately 10.5x the population of Homewood.
From a growth perspective, Homewood is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Homewood has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Anchorage | Homewood |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 291,247 | 27,829 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.70% | 1.80% |
| Median Age | 34.5 | 29.0 |
| Unemployment | 5.20% | 2.10% |
| GDP | $57.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Anchorage
Advantages
Outdoor lifestyle opportunities
Drawbacks
Higher living costs
Homewood
Advantages
Homewood boasts a significantly shorter average commute time of 17.1 minutes compared to the national average.
The median household income in Homewood was $94,485 in 2024, notably higher than the national average.
The city has a healthy job market with a 1.38% employment growth rate between 2023 and 2024.
Homewood offers a strong sense of community and access to highly-rated public schools.
Residents have access to comprehensive healthcare services, including Baptist Health Brookwood Hospital within the city and major medical centers nearby.
Drawbacks
Median home purchase prices in Homewood are higher than the national average, potentially impacting affordability for buyers.
The city exhibits high car dependency, with most residents driving alone to work, and limited public transit options.
Summers in Homewood are long, hot, and muggy, which may be a drawback for some.
While generally safe, there have been reports of attempted car theft and homelessness in the area.
The median age of 29 is lower than the national average, which might not appeal to those seeking a more established, older demographic.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Anchorage
#4Alaska, USA
84.8 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,950
Avg Salary
$84,000
Cost Index
119
Commute
20 min
Transit Score
31.5/10
Walkability
42.2/10
Sunny Days
126/yr
Avg Temp
37.50°F
Pop. Growth
0.70%
Unemployment
5.20%
Livability
87
Business
82
Homewood
#8Alabama, USA
78.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,596
Avg Salary
$53,746
Cost Index
105
Commute
17 min
Transit Score
30.0/10
Walkability
55.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.80%
Unemployment
2.10%
Livability
82
Business
75
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